ISSUE 12: JUNE 2012FREE

The Bedford Clanger Group Page email: thebedfordclanger@gmail.com blog:thebedfordclanger.wordpress.com @bedfordclanger

For: music-lovers, culture-vultures, crafters, artists, makers, gardeners, traders, foodies, fashionistas

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

Illus

tratio

n B

y R

ache

l Lov

att

WE DID IT!!

We are proud, thrilled, over-the-moon, amazed and pretty flipping excited to an-nounce that Bedford has been chosen by Mary Portas to become one of twelve ‘Por-tas Pilot’ towns. The proposal, submitted by the Town Team and headed by Bedford-BID, pitched for £50,000 to fund projects to improve the High Street and town centre. Bedford was among 371 other towns vying for the opportunity to work with Mary Portas and her team to rejuvenate their high streets. The twelve Portas Pilot Towns will be the subject of a documentary TV series and the projects featured will have the opportunity to be rolled out in other towns around the country. Go Bedford!

Letter from the Editor

Well, what a year it’s been!If you’ve been with us from the start, then thank you so much for your contin-ued support. If you’ve only just found us, then welcome aboard! When we launched The Clanger, our aim was to provide a platform to promote Bedford and I’d like to think we’ve succeeded. There are so many positive things about Bedford (just ask Mary Portas) and we believe they deserve to be shouted about. From gigantic lace to Bedfringe, busking festivals to the River Festival, top notch pubs and restaurants to some really unique independent retailers, Bedford has so much to offer. The next twelve months promise to be even more excit-ing. We hope you’ll carry on seeking out The Clanger to keep up with what’s going down in this town. Erica RoffeEditor

JUNE 2012THE BEDFORD CLANGER

2 Well done to everyone who helped on Portas Pilot proposal.

You know what it’s like: you live somewhere and you take it for granted. So why not look at Bedford with fresh eyes and discover new stuff. Be a hometown tourist….If you’re looking for somewhere to bestow your unwanted furniture, electrical goods, clothing or books, then you might want to take a drive out into the glorious Bedford-shire countryside and head for the pretty village of Carlton, in turn the home of the Emmaus village. Emmaus is a charity based on the principles of offering homeless people the opportunity to help themselves, whilst help-ing the local community too. They believe that by providing a friendly atmosphere, accommodation and a safe community in which to acquire new work skills they can help homeless people reclaim their sense of purpose. Currently 29 residents live and work at the Emmaus village, recycling or refurbishing goods, working in the Bistro and running the clothing, furniture and electrical shops, as well as maintaining the grounds. The shops are a total treasure trove of recycled goodies, with a well-stocked room full of good quality books, stacks of vintage china and cookware, cameras, televisions, and a huge range of furniture.

It also has a playroom full of second-hand toys and childrens’ books, ready to be loved all over again, for a very reasonable (and I do mean reasonable. Books start at 10p, toys at 20p,) pocket-money price. In what can only be described as a stroke of genius, they have positioned the playroom right next to the open-plan Bistro, which serves lovely home-made cake, salads, sand-wiches and teas, meaning that it is perfectly possible to have a drink and watch your offspring play at the same time. The boutique section houses the donated clothing, shoes and jewellery, as well as a section for childrenswear, wool and bed linen. There is usually a good stash of adult and children’s bikes, as well as plant pots and gardening equipment, and one of the nicest sections contains some refurbished garden tools; sturdy spades and forks sharpened, re-painted and restored to former glory with original smooth wooden handles intact. In addition to the village itself, there are brilliant places to visit on the way: a

playground in nearby Pavenham has a very good zipline, as well as adult-sized outdoor gym equip-ment, and the historic Chel-lington Centre is nearby too. The Emmaus village is open from Tuesday-Saturday from 10am - 4.30pm and they have big plans to refurbish some of the buildings in the next 12-18 months to make the experience of shopping there even better. It is definitely worth a little rural excursion to visit.

www.emmausvillagecarlton.org.uk

HOMETOWN TOURIST EMMAUS villAGE: vintage Crockery and Cake (again)

The Singers sewing shop on lurke Street is a Bedford institution. This year the shop is celebrating 30 years in business and owner Chris Dawkins is not resting on his laurels.

Following the sad death of his father (and founder of the shop), Roger Dawkins, in 2009, Chris has invested heavily in improving the shop from top to bottom. And despite having a newborn baby, he is dedicated to ploughing all his efforts into creating a shop that caters for sewers, knit-ters and crafters alike.

“When my father died we were over-whelmed with the response from custom-ers,” said Chris. “We knew we had a very strong customer base and set up condolance books in the shop for people to pay their respects.” It is these loyal customers that Chris is keen to retain, as well as appealing to a new generation of crafters.

So what’s changed, I hear you ask? Well, if you’re a nifty knitter (and after our piece in the February issue on grafitti knitting, who wouldn’t want to be?), you’ll be thrilled. An entire section of the shop is now dedicated to all things woolly. There are

mannequins to model the completed designs, a ready-to-wear rail of children’s clothes made by Irene at Topolino Knits as well as an array of pattern books to buy. Curtain-making is another area that Chris is keen to expand. As well as selling everything you need to make your own, Singers Bedford also of-fers a curtain making service. The button and notions range is vastly improved, he has introduced a selection of bag-making accessories including fabulous leather handles and there is also a ‘customer creations’ board for customers to proudly display pictures of recent sewing projects.

So how is Chris going about mak-ing these changes? “I am very keen to collaborate with our customers,” he explains. “I have been chatting to our regulars to find out what they want from the shop and also have been working with our curtain maker as well as Janet Lehain of Kitchen Table Sewing to select fabric.” It is thanks to Janet that you can now find beautiful Amy Butler cottons in store. Just perfect for summer sewing projects!

If you’re not a super confident sewer, then fear not. Chris and the team offer a selec-tion of classes from ‘getting to know your sewing machine’ to simple dressmaking

projects to build your confidence or teach you new skills. If you bring a friend to any of the Singers Bedford classes you will both receive a £5 voucher to spend in the shop on the day.2a Lurke Street, MK40 3HY tel: 350186 email: info@singersbedford.comwww.singersbedford.com

SINgERS - more than just sewing....2a lurke Street, MK40 3HY tel: 350186 email: info@singersbedford.com www.singersbedford.com

UNIQUE BEDFORD

Chris Dawkins: King of the Singers

Phot

o: K

atie

Fin

n

Do you want to be a leader and make a real difference in your community? Then Join UpRising! UpRising is Britain’s premier leader-ship programme for young adults aged 19-25 from diverse and under-represented backgrounds – and they’re looking for new recruits. Do you have the potential to become a fu-ture leaders in the public, private or charity sector? If so, get involved now! Recruitment is now open for Bedford UpRising’s October 2012-2013 pro-gramme. Applications are open to all 19-25 year-olds, regardless of qualifications or educational background. Most sessions are during the evening, although 1 session a month will begin at 4pm with travel to London. All travel costs are covered by the programme.

Benefits of becoming an UpRiser:•Comprehensive training package to enable you to lead on social action in your com-munity

•Attend high profile learning sessions and learning visits giving you direct ac-

cess to senior leaders across all sectors

•Bespoke leadership training run by some of

Britain’s leading experts in their field

•Be matched with a mentor from UpRising’s senior leaders network who will be able to Guide you through your leadership journey

•Individual coaching sessions at the start of the programme

• Attend and actively participate in high-level events and ceremonies

•Receive a certification in community leadership by Birkbeck University upon graduation from the programme

UpRising is designed to nurture and support young adults looking to develop leadership skills and become more active in their com-munities on issues they care about.

To apply to join the UpRising Leadership Programme, please visit: www.uprising.org.uk

The homeless charity that works

is read by around 10,000 peopleif you’d like to promote your business to our readers then

contact Gemma Rogers on 07799067052

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

3If you are an illustrator in Bedford, get in touch with the Circus of Illustration.

JUNE 2012

By David LitchfieldHello Rachel. How did you get started in Illustration?When I was 6 I drew a picture of a rabbit with a carrot , my teacher gave me a gold star! I promptly came home and announced to my mum that I was going to be a drawer of rabbits and carrots when I grew up. I continued drawing and began mixing it with stitch which led me to textile design. I worked as a textile designer for many years before breaking away to create my own art.

Your work has a very whimsical feel. Where do you think this comes from.Hmmm I think some of it comes from my inspira-tions such as folk tale and myth which are full of other worlds, playful juxtaposi-tions, transforma-tions and bonkers characters . The rest must be magic or wind.

What sort of materials do you use?I collect a lot of old curious things to use in my work such as, stamps, match box covers and maps. I then mix that with ink, pencil, paint and stitch.

What is your favourite ice cream?Chocolate with ice magic chocolate sauce on top - you know, the AMAZING sauce from the 80s that comes out runny then sets rock solid! I discovered it when I was 8 and it still blows my mind!. it’s probably radio active or something, most foods were in the 80s.

How did you get involved with The Cir-cus of Illustrators?Well it all happened when I was working as a very secret spy and had to move to Bedfordshire. I entered my work in , ” The castle quay weekender” which was run by the We are Bedford team, they introduced me to the other local illustrators - who also did some very secret spying on the side. We all got together at a very secret meeting, scribbles were made , heads scratched, fizzy drinks drunk and the Circus was born.

There seems to be lots of new illustrators appearing at the moment. Why do you

think this is? Where have they been hid-ing all of this time?Maybe it’s a backlash - it’s always a backlash - to the hands off world of social media, people just want to reconnect with the world around them so have gone back to using pencils and sketchbooks again, kind of lovely isn’t it? *waves hippy flag of peace*or it’s wind. Again.

What would be your dream illustration job?I’m doing one of my dream jobs at the mo-ment, I am collaborating with a Home/fash-

ion lifestyle store, creating one off pieces to sell in their shops, I can’t reveal the name of the store just yet but The circus will be the first to know.

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration in your career?I think books and stories are my biggest influence, I always find inspi-ration between the pages of a book, whether it’s a poem, novel, collection of myths.

You, like the rest of us Circus Il-lustrators, are based in Bedford. A taxi driver once told me that Bed-ford was a great place to be born as it has a good maternity wing, a great place to go to school as it has some good schools and a great place to die as it has a wonderful cemetery. Its the bit in the middle of your life that Bedford is not so good for. Do you think he (the taxi driver) was right?Ha ha . I haven’t been living around here for that long and I am based in Ampthill. But , since i’ve been here there has been masses of events and different groups coming together to

support art, culture, the high street, music and film in Bedford. I think it’s on the up and as long as we keep supporting it, will continue.

Is illustration the new Rock ‘n Roll? If so what rock star are you?I love this idea, yes it is. I would have to be a glam rock star like David Bowie- he’s glam rock isn’t he? imaginitive, whimsical, likes labyrinths, bit bonkers

You can see more examples of my work on my blog lovattcloud9.blogspot.co.uk or on my facebookpage www.facebook.com/pages/LovattcloudCurrently I am showing with the Dadbrook gallery in their spring show www.dadbrookgallery.co.uk

INTERvIEW WITH RacHEL LOvaTT

THIS MONTH’S FRONT pagEILLUSTRaTOR

Cut it Out, Rach!

independent businesses in Bedford make our town different. And we want customers to buy at least one item from an independent retailer when they next visit town. go on, we dare you!The indies in Bedford add to the character of our town of many markets. Behind every shop door is a person striving to make that business work. And they need our custom to support them.

As part of the Love Bedford campaign, Bedford Business Improvement District (BID) will be promoting the national Inde-pendents’ day and month during July among our 564 levy-paying businesses. BedfordBID see this as an opportunity to support the independent sector, enhance entrepreneurial businesses in the town and create local excitement around a national campaign. Said BID Director Christina Rowe: “We want businesses to highlight the fact they are independent, to wow people with window displays and come up with ideas for VIP visitors. At the BID office we will promoting all this activity and calling upon customers to come around to Bedford.”

SHOW yOUR INDEpENDENTS THAT YOU lOvE THEM !

IT’S OUR BIRTHDayThis issue of The Bedford clanger sees us celebrating being 1 year old. Go us! In the last 12 months we have doubled our print run and now reach around 10,000 readers with every edition. The Clanger team has doubled in size too and we have met some inspiring people, have made some great friends and spead the word about the truly brilliant stuff that’s going down in our town. It’s always been our aim to keep you up to date on what’s on in Bedford and we have now dedicated our centre four pages to ‘The Listing’. It’s your one-stop-cultural-shop for what’s good in Bedford this month. With everything from theatre to clubbing, charity events to live music, we’ve got it covered. If you’d like your event included, please email Bev on clangerlisting@gmail.com by the 19th June. We hope that you’ve enjoyed the last year with us and thank you for supporting The Bedford Clanger. We look forward to making The Clanger even bigger and better over the next 12 months. Cheers!

ART

RETAil

Bedford creative arts unveiled its Lace in place commission at 1 St Paul’s Square in May.

The gigantic lace, made by Bedford-based artist Arael Rosillo de Blas, The Aragon Lacemakers, Mind and the Kings Arms project, will be in situ until 29th July so we’ve got the whole summer to enjoy it.

For futher information: www.bca.com

Amazing lace

Papered Pooch

it cannot have escaped your notice that Her Majesty the Queen is celebrating her 60th year on the throne this summer. The weekend of 2nd – 5th June will see the majority of the country joining in with a variety of festivities and Bedford is no exception.All over the place, families and friends are getting together to commemorate the Jubilee in all manner of ways. From street parties to barbecues, festivals to picnics, garden parties to fun days, there really is something for everyone swept up in royal fever. Not so much for Republicans, but hey, that’s the nature of a Jubilee…

Street parties are taking place across the town, so here’s a round-up of a few:Tavistock Street is home to family fun and games on Monday at the Tavistock Community Centre on Princes Street from 1-5pm. Co-ordinated by Tavision, TavT-offs, the Tavistock Pub & Carvery and other businesses and community workers along

the street that don’t have ‘Tav’ in their names, this will be a great way for the whole family to celebrate the Jubilee.

Just around the corner on Princes Street, top real ale watering hole, The Wellington Arms is hosting a street party from 12pm. Visitors are asked to bring their own food, drinks and chairs and there will be a BBQ on hand for you to cook up your own sausages. You have the chance to learn morris dancing, there will be a quiz, raffle and more! All money raised will be donated to the Bedford Day Care Hospice. Please note, any drinks purchased at The Welly must be consumed on the pub’s premises.

Over on Midland Road, MARA (Midland Road Area Resident’s association) will be hosting The Big Lunch 3 on Battison Street on Sun-day June 3rd 2pm-5pm. Following the success of The Big Lunches 1 & 2 (see last June’s Clanger) residents from the area will be bringing food and soft drinks to share and there will be arts and crafts, activities and games, drummers and a drum workshop plus lots of dancing! In case of inclement weather (eg: the lovely spring hail we’ve been experiencing) the event will be hosted at 123 Create, Midland Road).

Also on Sunday join The Higgins Art Gallery and Museum for the Big Victorian Jubilee Picnic. The event takes place on the lawn of The Higgins with everyone invited to dress up, bring a picnic and join the flag

and bunting making fest. If music is your thing, Bedford Town Band will be perform-ing from 3pm to 5pm at the Mill Meadows bandstand. Fan-flagmaking-tastic!!

On Monday, Russell Park will host the fi-nal of the Battle of the Bands with a chance to hear the winners play live before they hit the main stage at this year’s River Festival in July. Warm up heats have already taken place with the finalists set to battle it out across the afternoon from 12pm. Who out of The Scruff, Albany Down, Joy Radio, Brigante, Kastaphor and Kam Singh will be victorious?

Make the most of the extra bank holiday by swinging by Russell Park on Tuesday as an “It’s a Knockout” style competition takes over. Hilarious and fun to both play and watch (even without the dulcet tones of Stu-art Hall), the competition will take teams of 10 through eight fun-packed games across Russell Park. Why not reminisce about your child-hood at a special Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Tuesday afternoon? Between 12.30 and 2.30pm teddies will be travelling from far and wide to Russell Park to enjoy a spot of lunch as part of the Jubilee celebrations. So why not dust off your favourite old bear and enjoy an afternoon full of cake, competi-tions and even more memories to treasure? Priory Methodist (Newnham Avenue), ChristChurch and Russell Park Baptist Church (both located on Denmark Street)

will be working together to put on activities for all the family. These include face paint-ing, a puppet show, preparing a giant thank you for the Queen and singing with Castle Community Choir. Hurrah!

Newnham Avenue’s The White Horse is hosting a Diamond Jubilee Garden party on Tuesday 5th. From 1 – 3pm the garden will play host to children’s games and entertain-ment, 3– 5pm there will be live music with Mike Betteridge, Mark-Ray, Rik King and from 7.30pm the Mental Elves will be kicking up a right royal storm with more live tunes.

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

4 Will you be celebrating like mad...?

JUNE 2012

a RIgHT ROyaL KNEES Up gUaRaNTEES a gREaT SUMMER IN BEDFORD

BEDFORD SWaN HOTEL’S

Right Royal Riverside

Afternoon TeaBedford Swan Hotel manager Dominic Mills was delighted to discover recently that our very own Queen visited the hotel during a visit to Bedford.

HMQ was photographed waving from the front balcony of the hotel in 1946 when, as the then Princess Elizabeth, she visited Bed-ford on February 14th as part of her work with the Land Army girls organisation. The Hotel is celebrating its royal connec-tions by serving up its afternoon teas in a specially erected Jubilee marquee overlook-ing the stunning River Great Ouse and town bridge from Saturday 2nd – Tuesday 5th

June. “It’s a moment of history which shows how important the hotel has been to the town. We are marking the connection with another great moment in Bedfordshire his-tory, the invention of ‘Afternoon Tea’ by a former Duchess of Bedford..”

CElEBRATiONS AT THE paRKWith high hopes for the bank holiday weather, The Park will be celebrating the Queen’s birthday and Diamond Jubilee with a BBQ. The once-in-a-lifetime event will be shown on big screens in the bar, or you can just watch the world go by on their patio with a fruity glass of Pimms.If by the evening all that celebrating has made you peckish, The Park is offering a starter and main meal for just £15.50 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday is grill night, with the chef’s selection of meat and fish served straight from the char grill.

Finally, kids under six get free ice cream on Sundays if they finish all their food (or at least make a valiant effort).

The Park pub & dining, 98 Kimbolton Road, BedfordTel: 273929 www.theparkbedford.co.uk

Midland Road’s Big lunch

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

5...Or escaping the madness?

JUNE 2012

For more information on local Olympic events in Bedford, visit www.bedford.gov.uk/london2012

The Torch Relay comes to Bedford!

Join us and line the streets - it’s our moment to shine!On the 8th July the Olympic Torch will make its way through the streets of Bedford & Cotton End.

We will also be unveiling an English Heritage Blue Plaque in Rutland Road to mark the birth place of Harold Abrahams - Olympic Gold Medalist for the 100m sprint in the 1924 Summer Games.

London 2012 Olympics Live Site

Celebrate the Olympics at Bedford International Athletic Stadium from Friday 3rd August to Thursday 9th August. Big screen showing live footage from the Games, plus sporting activities throughout the week, bar, catering, entertainment and much more! Free entry.

THE BIGGEST EVENT ON THE PLANET...COMING TO A STREET NEAR YOU!

COMS012_12 design@bedford.gov.uk

www.rose-tintedvintage.co.uk 4 Clair Court, Lime St, Bedford, MK40 1NH. Open mon-sat 10am - 5pm.

Of course, not everyone’s gone bunting mad.

For the Republicans among us, check out Graham Watson’s framed print of the Sex Pistols’ infamous 1977 lyrics from God Save the Queen. Available from Rock City Arts from £30 (unframed) and £80 (framed)www.rockcityart.com

As part of the Great Summer in Bedford, the International Bedford Kite Festival returns to Russell Park on the 2nd and 3rd June. Now in its tenth year, the festival will this year take on a royal theme and will welcome talent from across the world as kites of all shapes and sizes take to the skies above Russell Park. As ever, in addition to the kites, there’ll be plenty on offer to keep everyone en-tertained with the crafts marquee, a wide selection of other stalls, entertainment, live music and of course the chance to fly your own kite in the public arena! The Bedford Clanger will even have its own stand, so make sure you come along and say hello. We’ll be sharing our space with some of our friends including BCA and the Aragon Lacemakers, Design Hog and local artist

Charlotte Ten-neson. Looking forward to seeing you there! Mayor Dave Hodgson, said: “Now in its tenth year, the Kite Fes-tival is a superb free event for the whole family and attracts thousands of people down to Russell Park and the Embankment area. “We are look-ing forward to welcoming kite flyers from across the world once again, including Australia, Bali, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Thailand and Indonesia. “The Kite Festival is one part of a great summer in Bedford Borough and kicks off

a bumper Jubilee Weekend at Russell Park and the Embankment with a music festival on Monday and the ‘It’s a Knockout’ style competition on Tuesday.

LET’S gO FLy a KITE…

STEvINgTON WELL

DRESSINgMONDAY 4TH JUNEJubilee celebrations in Stevington will take the form of a traditional ‘Well Dressing’... ...With wonderful floral displays created by villagers being placed besides the an-cient Holy Well near the Church Wall. The traditional well dressing skilss of puddling and pedalling have been taught by re-nowned Derbyshire specialists Waingroves. It is 750 years since the nuns welcomed pilgrims to stay at the Stevington Hos-pitim (guest house) to sooth their eyes in its crystal clear water. In all that time, the Holy Well has never been known to freeze or run dry. The theme of the Well Dressing panel is taken from a stained glass window in the Stevington Baptist Meeting Church. The imagery is of Christian at the Cross from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. It depicts Christian with his burden loosened from his shoulder and dumbling down into the mouth of the Sepulchre; a scene which is often associated with the 13th century cross at the centre of Stevington. John Bunyan lived only five miles away in Bedford and many believe he preached at Stevington Cross. To celebrate this connec-tion, villagers are performing the Stevington Tale of the Pilgrim’s Progress, with an invi-tation for everyone to join in. The Bunyan Hymn will be sung to the accompaniment of a Krummhorn.

•At 11am the troupe will enact Scenes 1 and 2 at the Cross before making its way down Church Road to the accompaniment of the Krummhorn.

•David Renwick (writer of One Foot in the Grave and Jonathan Creek) will release ‘the burden’.

•Scenes 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be enacted down Church Road and at the Holy Well using Bunyan’s original text. At the Holy Well, it

A family business providing support and service when you need it.Open and honesty pricing policy37 St Cuthberts Street, Bedford MK40 3JGTel: 01234 363191 (24 hours) www.molyneuxjones.co.uk

Molyneux JonesFamily Funeral Directors

and the Well Dressing will be blessed and the ‘Bu-nyan Hymn’ will be sung.

•The Progress will make its way up Church Road and Manor Farm drive fol-lowing Christian in Scene 7 through the straight but narrow path between fierce village ‘lions’ to House Beautiful where the Virgins of the House will serve refreshments, includ-ing wines and soft drinks, for all deserving pilgrims!

Kathy Brown’s beautiful four acre garden of the Manor House will be open from 12-5pm with monies raised going to the Church Room Res-toration Fund. Also open are St Mary the Virgin Church with its unique natural history display organised under the auspices of Stevington Historical Trust and Stevington Baptist Church with its special stained glass window.

*Church Road will be clear of traffic from 10.45-11.45am; there will be free parking at the Manor House Garden prior and after the morning event.

MARK SPAIN EXHIBITION Saturday 16th June -

Saturday 30th June 2012

Howard Street, Bedford MK40 3HS Tel:01234 344784

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

6 Bon vacance!

JUNE 2012

nhs.uk/ogcancer

If you’ve had either of these on and off for 3 weeks, stop telling yourself ‘it’s nothing’ and tell your doctor.

If you’ve had indigestion or heartburn, most days, for the past 3 weeks or more, it could be a sign of cancer – especially if you’re over the age of 55. Chances are it’s nothing serious, but �nding it early makes it more treatable. Don’t learn to live with it, tell your doctor.

Indigestion Heartburn

Dr Jane ScottAnglia Cancer Network

571_Anglia_BCOC_indigest_265x170_press_ad.indd 1 09/05/2012 16:07

BEDFORD NETWORKAt Bedford Network i share with you my best experiences of Bedford – And I keep going back to Foods of Italy (an Italian delicatessen on Bower Street, Bedford) who recently really helped me with their advice, patience and humour when I attempted a recipe from the Two Greedy Italians cookbook… The new TV series Two Greedy Italians inspired me to cook as an Italian Mama –

that was the aim anyway – I’m not sure I completely pulled it off! We started with Antipasti – olives and a selection of meats. All chosen by Alex at Foods of Italy – I relied on his advice to flavours and amounts. It was all perfect and did make you feel as though you could possibly be sitting in a sunny garden in Italy

rather than a rain drenched Bedford and round the kitchen table! The Secondi was Gennaro’s Mixed Meat Ragu. This is where the expertise and fresh produce from Foods of Italy Bedford added the magic ingredients to give the dish a real taste of Italy. The sausages were absolutely fantastic – the first time I’ve tried them. Bangers and mash could take on a whole new taste from now on – or perhaps I’d better stick to recipes from the Two Greedy Italians! And the basil and parmesan were heavenly – no comparison to supermarket bland versions. I’m not a natural cook so for the recipe to turn out not only edible but absolutely

delicious was incredible. Some people still shudder at the thought of my apple crumble! The Two Great Italians of Foods of Italy are more than a match any day for the Two Greedy Italians of TV fame – how lucky we are in Bedford. Grazie mille to Foods of Italy.

Stay tuned to Bedford Network in June for more news and our competition to win a fabulous prize at 5th Avenue Spa! We blog, tweet and Facebook…

www.bedfordnetwork.co.uk Twitter: @BedfordNetwork Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bedford-Network

Phot

o: S

haun

Arm

stro

ng

Buon Appetito!

By Louise Sayers

The strong pound is the perfect excuse for a weekend away in Europe, but where to go? Perpignan, the capital of French Catalonia is easily accessible from Bedford by Ryanair from Luton to Girona in Spain, just over one hour’s drive away from Perpig-nan. Current flight prices are from £21.99 one way (book me up! – Ed). This laid-back city in the south of France has something for everyone. Perpignan station was touted as “the centre of the world” by Salvador Dalí and although that claim may seem a little exagger-ated, the city is a wonderful place to wander and soak up the Catalan atmosphere. Sip a glass of local rosé in the Place de la République, climb up to the Palais des Rois de Majorque for amazing views of the city, the Roussillon Plain and the Pyrenees, or catch a game of rugby – the Catalan Dragons are the only non-English side in the Superleague. Perpignan also makes a fantastic base from which to explore the Pyrénées-

Orientales region of France which really does have something for everyone. Sun worshippers will love the long and wide sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast at resorts such as Canet-en-Roussillon and Argelès Plage. If it’s stunning scenery you’re after, head further south to the pre-posterously pretty Vermilion Coast which is where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean, giving us winding coastal roads with views

to die for, dropping down to pretty pebbled cove with clear blue waters. A coastal walk is a lovely way to unwind and enjoy the scenery. For culture vultures, the area has a rich artistic heritage. The light here is unique and over the years has attracted artists such as Matisse and Derain. Wander through the streets of popular Collioure and you’ll see that this is a place which still attracts

plenty of aspiring artists touting their works. Charles Rennie-Mackintosh lived up the road in Port Vendres and you can follow the trail around the town displaying reproduc-tions of his works where he actually painted them. Inland, the market town of Céret is also a haven for artists, Dalí and Picasso both visited and loved it here. Céret boasts pretty cobbled streets, an attractive square and a Modern Art Museum which is surpris-

ingly good for a town of this size. Lovers of the great outdoors will find everything they wish for in the region – some of the best walking in Europe, great terrain for both mountain biking and road cycling, climbing and much much more.

So what are you waiting for? Bon voyage!

Where to stay:http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/FR4705.htmhttp://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/FR3370.htm

Louise Sayers and her husband, Mark, live in Perpignan and run Med and Mountain, offering property for sale in and around Perpignan, personalised property searches and help in France.

cLaNgER TRavEL – PerpignanTRAvEl

and knowing their manager Howard ‘Ginger’ Jones. “Howard was the original manager of the Hacienda and then managed the Stone Roses,” explained Ian when we rang him to chat about the forthcoming exhibition. “I was asked to do a piece for Sounds magazine about the Hac and photo-graphed Howard. He played me a cassette (remember them? - Ed) of the Stone Roses and I thought they were really dire. It was very punk influenced and I had a real downer on them at the beginning! But then they evolved, got it together musically and released Sally Cinnamon.” And the rest is history... In 1987 the Stone Roses did their first major interview and photo shoot for Sounds, captured by Ian and now on show at Rock City Arts. At this time they were still relatively unknown outside Manchester - attracting around 40 gig-goers in Liverpool - yet selling out the Hacienda. “Once the London music press realised there was this band filling the Hacienda they wanted to find out more about them.” The release of Fools Gold in 1989 saw the worlds of indie and dance music collide with spectacular results. Even soul girls like me loved it. “Fools Gold was groundbreak-ing,” agreed Ian. “Nobody expected them to bring out something so funky. The Stone Roses’ roots were in punk and Led Zeppelin (that explains the Paigesque guitar solos - Ed) so Fools Gold was mellowly different and a real surprise. There is definitely a parrallel to the ‘loved up’ E culture of the

time, but the band represented genuine love and unity.” The Stone Roses’ relationship (or lack of) with the media is legendary. At the much anticpiated lauch of their long-await-ed second album they only did one press interview and that was with The Big Issue. It is therefore not surprising that in leiu of quotes and interviews, the images of the band have remained so iconic. Ian Tilton’s photographs of the Stone Roses perfectly evoke the Madchester scene and will bring

back fond memories of the shoe-gazing 90s. We are so lucky to have Rock City Arts bringing the work of great music photora-phers to Bedford. Ian Tilton’s images of the Stone Roses will be on display until 21st June so make sure you check them out.June 2nd - 21st at Rock City Art Gallery, Castle Lane, Bedfordinfo@rockcityart.comwww.rockcityart.com

If, like me, you are ticketless for the forthcoming reunion gigs, why not get your Roses fix at a photographic retrospective of the rise of their career at Rock City Arts

gallery on Castle Lane from 2nd June? Photographer Ian Tilton was with the Stone Roses from the start, living near Ian Brown and John Squire in Chorlton, Manchester

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

7Do you know the Bedford resident who has photographed one hundred copies of ‘No Parlez’ by Paul Young?

JUNE 2012

in association with

Bedford Borough Council’s Premier Entertainment venue

THE L I S T I N gGetting Out and About in Bedford This June

Paul Young’s solosuccess in the 1980s was phenomenal...

...and being called upon to sing the opening lines of Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas’ (more of which later) cemented his reputation as one of the superstars of the decade. However, if ‘Wherever I Lay My Hat’ is what you’re expecting to hear at Paul’s gig at Esquires this month, then you may be in for a surprise. For the past 20 years, Paul has been touring with his Tex Mex band, Los Pacaminos and we caught up with him to find out why he loves Tex Mex music, the joy of touring with a band and what it was like in the heady days of the 80s.

Bedford clanger: Los pacaminos is quite a departure from what you’re most well known for.PY: Well, there’s no point in just doing the same thing and although I like many genres [of music] Tex Mex is a style that’s achievable by a bunch of English musicians with instruments that are readily available. It’s a Mexican version of rock & roll and although when Los Pacaminos started it was just a bit of fun, none of the band wanted

to stop and we’ve now been going for 20 years! I was raised on cowboy series on the TV and love the South West of America and driving through the desert and our music evokes memories of the area.

Bc: Do you prefer being in a group to being a solo artist?PY: When I was at CBS I was in the habit of recording and touring so I wanted to find a way to tour that didn’t rely on a record to promote. I wanted to play and record for fun. I didn’t really enjoy the attention of being a solo artist and became uncomfort-able with it in a short space of time. Being in Los Pacaminos gives me the chance to sing harmonies, play guitar and write songs.

BC: Los Pacaminos vs your 80s solo stuff couldn’t really be more different. Do you attract a different audience?PY: Non- Paul Young fans always love to tell me they never liked my solo stuff!

BC: So what can Clanger fans expect when they come along to Esquires on 2nd June to see you play?PY: With Los Pacaminos it’s a different show every night! We have an A and B team of top class musicians we can call on to tour with us. One of our guitarists is on the

road with Tom Jones at the moment and the drummer from The Feeling is an honorary member. Musicians love to play with us! Our show is very interactive and all the musicians are so experienced they interact brilliantly with each other on stage. We’ve got a pedal steel guitar which has to be the hardest instrument to play – it’s got two necks, two different tunings and you control the volume and change chords with your feet and knees. I’m in awe of it!

BC: Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas’ was a massive hit and the video’s a who’s who of the 80s music scene. Did you know you were going to sing the opening line before you turned up to the recording?PY: I sang the middle part (‘here’s to you, raise a glass to everyone’) and I think Bowie maybe should have done the opening line. But he was in Japan during the record-ing so I was second choice. They’d already written the song and were allocating parts to singers there and then. When we were asked to do Band Aid we didn’t know it would have such significance. Everyone just bowled up, did their part and left.

BC: And finally, would you like to reunite with some of the big names of the 80s to perform again? Maybe Duran Duran,

Spandau Ballet, Wham! and you at the O2?PY: Yeah, that could be good. If you could get all the big names together I’d be up for that… You heard it here first PY fans!

The Luton-born, self-deprecating legend that is Paul Young will be performing dur-ing Esquires’ 22nd anniversary weekend celebrations on Saturday 2nd June.

For further information www.bedfordesquires.co.uk

Finally, a big thank you to Esquires for donating a pair of tickets for the event to Bedfordshire Business Women who auctioned them off at their recent Man Day networking lunch and raised £70 for St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger.

paUL yOUNg’S LOS pacaMINOS RIDE INTO BEDFORDMUSiC

Young at Heart

WHaT THE WORLD IS WaITINg FOR ian Tilton’s photographs of the rise of The Stone Roses

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mad FerritWith the second coming of The Stone Roses due to take place this year, there can be no better time to celebrate the rise of one of the great bands of the Madchester scene than now.

A PHOtgrAPHiC ExHiBitiON frOM tHE 22Nd JuNE- 19tH JuLy 2012

rock City Art gallery, 26 Castle Lane, Bedford, Beds, MK40 3uSinfo@rockcityart.comwww,rockcityart.com

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

8

JUNE 2012

Friday 1st June ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Antique Furniture & Collectors’ Items Auction Specialist auction of antiques and collectors’ items at the Bedford Auction Centre where a range of antique furniture, pictures, ceramics and glass, silver, metalware, militaria and other effects are offered for sale. From 11am. Free admission. Bedford Auction Centre, Newnham Street, Bedford www.peacockauction.co.uk•Bedfordshire Family History Society Monthly Talk, AGM & QuizInterested in family history? Then come along to an informative monthly talk to find out more. Details of this month’s talk can be found on the website. A specialist bookstall and library are also available. Doors open at 7.30pm. Talk starts at 7.50pm. Members and non members welcome. £1 donation required from non-members. Mark Rutherford School Drama Hall, Wentworth Drive, Bedford. Contact: secretary@bfhs.org.ukwww.bfhs.org.uk •FIA European Drag Racing ChampionshipsTelevised action from Europe’s premier Drag Racing Championships at Santa Pod Raceway, attracting over 250 of the top drag racing teams including Top Fuel Dragster plus Jet Cars, stunts, monster trucks, traders, sideshows and more! Event runs until 4th June. Gates open at 8am. Tickets from £9.60 up to £80.Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Poddington, Welling-borough Tel: 01234 782828 www.santapod.com•Bedford Art Society MeetingMichael Peachey will give a demonstration at Putnoe Heights Church using gouache for painting. Starts at 7.30pm. Free to members, £5 to visitors.Tel: Jean Paterson on 01234 307210 www.bedsartsociety.co.uk•’What the World is Waiting for’ Stone Roses Exhibi-tion & Launch PartyAward winning photographer Ian Tilton is set to bring his photographs of The Rise Of The Stone Roses to Rock City Art Gallery.Castle Lane, Bedford. Tel: 01234 910448 www.rockcityart.com•Decopatch DemoLearn how to assemble, paste and varnish paper cut outs to decorate objects, from simple designs to complex works of art. Free demonstration, come and have a go! 10am – 3pm at the Arts Centre, Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park) Tel: 01234 344784 www.artcentre.biz info@artcentre.biz•Lost 4 WordsLive music from 9pm at The Flower Pot, Tavistock StTel: 01234 296732•Esquire’s Acoustic NightLive music in Holy Moly’s, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•The Milk + supportLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•Karaoke with Diamond FireThe White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk

Saturday 2nd June •••••••••••••••••••••••Bedford International Kite Festival and Diamond Jubilee CelebrationsNow in its tenth successive year, Bedford International Kite festival returns to Russell Park for another showcase of kites from the four corners of the globe. The weekend event will feature kites never seen before in the UK plus workshops for children and adults in the kite marquee. Anyone can fly a kite! To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee there will be events across Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th June. Alongside the programme will be food and drink, entertainment, music and kite stalls specialising in kite equipment, clothes and other accessories. Open 10am-6pm daily (5pm Sunday).Email: events@bedford.gov.uk www.bedfordevents.co.uk•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further informationArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Decopatch10am – 3pm FREE DEMONSTRATION

Come and have a go!Tutor: Charly BushbyArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park), Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Wootton Diamond Jubilee CelebrationsCome and enjoy some Diamond Jubilee celebrations at the recreation ground in Wootton! There will be something for everyone including craft and activity stalls, refreshments, a bouncy castle, arena displays, a tug-o-war competition and disco until 6pm. Recreation ground, Church Road. Tel: 07531 930788 Email: WoottonParishClerk@gmail.com•Free Windsurfing SessionsCome and try out windsurfing for free! Windsurfing is a fun and energetic sport for all ages. Run by qualified instructors at Brogborough Lake. Food and Drink will be available throughout the day for purchase. Sessions run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm until 4th June. Booking is essential.Tel: Emma on 07999 652021 www.broglake.co.uk•’What the World is Waiting for’ Stone Roses Exhibi-tion & SeminarAward winning photographer Ian Tilton presents his pho-tographs of The Rise Of The Stone Roses to Rock City Art Gallery, accompanied by a seminar. Stories will be shared behind the photographs on display with a Q&A session held afterwards. 4pm start, tickets £15 online store or from the gallery, limited to 25 people.Castle Lane, Bedford. Tel: 01234 910448 www.rockcityart.com•Los Pacaminos + supportLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com• The InformersLive music at The King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk•Vintage StuffLive band at The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, BedfordTel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk

Sunday 3rd June•••••••••••••••••••••••The Higgins Jubilee PicnicJoin Bedford Borough Council’s The Higgins Art Gallery and Museum for the Big Victorian Jubilee Picnic. The event takes place on the lawn of The Higgins with every-one invited to dress up, bring a picnic and join the flag and bunting-making fest. Tel: 01234 718618 Email: thehiggins@bedford.gov.uk www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk•Bedford Town BandIf music is your thing, Bedford Town Band will be per-forming from 3pm to 5pm at the Mill Meadows bandstand.Email: events@bedford.gov.uk www.bedfordevents.co.uk•Diamond Jubilee Celebrations at St James’s ChurchInformal service St James’s Church in Biddenham in the churchyard with Bedford Town Band at 5pm, alongside a ‘New Queen, New Age’ exhibition of memories and memorabilia in the Church, until 5th June. www.stjamesbiddenham.com•Bedford Guided Walk: The Rise & Fall of Bedford CastleA Royal Charter, a not so ‘civil’ war and a castle removed stone by stone. View the site where Bedford’s motte and bailey castle once stood and enjoy views over the River Great Ouse from the recently restored castle mound, courtesy of Bedford’s Tourist Information Centre. Starts at 11am from the Tourist Information Centre, St. Paul’s Square, Bedford. Tickets: Adults £3, Children over 8 years £1.50.Tel: 01234 718112 Email: touristinfo@bedford.gov.uk www.bedford.gov.uk/tourism or www.vistbedford.co.uk•Pub Bike TourBring your bike and a picnic to The Bedford Arms, 2 Bro-mham Rd at 12 noon for a trip around a few Bedfordshire pubs, ending with a BBQ at The Bedford Arms in the evening. Tickets available in advance only, £5pp.Tel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk• Mojo (Dave King & Friends)The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd, 8.30pmTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Olie Campbell/Harriet Langley/Rob Muir/Michael Green/Jonny Mudd/Martin HaslamLive music in Holy Moly’s, Esquire’s. 7.30pm, free entry.Tel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•Hurricane FlyLive music from 9pm at The Flower Pot, Tavistock StTel: 01234 296732•The X-CertsLive music in Danny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•Esquire’s Birthday Party feat. Kain + Robed In Desire + OmnivibesLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•White Horse Quiz NightTeams of up to 6, 8.30pm, £1pp entry. Free bingo game for Sunday quizzers! The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk• Jon’s Music QuizUp to £300 prize money! The King’s Arms, St Mary’s Street Tel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.ukMonday 4th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Jubilee Street PartyPrincess Street in Bedford will be closed off to make way for a celebratory street party hosted by The Wellington Arms from 12noon. Bring your own food and drink. Some beer kindly donated by Banks & Taylor.Tel: Roy or Lesley 01234 308033•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further information

Art Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Open Mic NightAt the Devonshire Arms, Dudley St, Bedford. Starts 8pmTel: 01234 359329 www.devonshirearmsbedford.co.uk•Tea in the Church BarnSt James’s Church, Church End, Biddenham invites you to tea in the Church Barn from 10.30 -12.30pm and 2pm-5-pm. www.stjamesbiddenham.com•Battle of the Bands FinalA chance to hear the winners play live before they hit the main stage at this year’s River Festival in July. Warm up heats have already been organised with the previous winners set to compete across the afternoon from 12pm at Russell Park. The Scruff, Albany Down, Joy Radio, Brig-anté, Kastaphor and Kam Singh will be battling it out.Email: Bedford Events Team at events@bedford.gov.uk www.bedfordevents.co.uk•Eagle Gallery Exhibition: ‘Journeys’‘Journeys’ is a new themed exhibition of original art by 45 Bedfordshire artists at the Eagle Gallery, Castle Road, Bedford. Running until 5th July every Monday – Friday from 10am to 5.30pm. Free admission.Tel: Sarah Buckingham 07983 759294 www.eaglegal-leryartists.co.uk•Medieval Family Fun DayMedieval inspired activities at Shuttleworth Park for all the family including sword displays, mounted hunting games, falconry, archery, jousting, medieval dancing, wandering minstrels, living history camps, crafts, forge work demon-strations plus a medieval marketOpen 10:30-16:30pm. Advance tickets: adults £8, children (5-16 years) £4. Tickets on the gate: adults £10, children (5-16 years) £6.The Mansion House, Shuttleworth Park, Old Warden, Beds. Tel: 01767 626262 www.themansionhouse.org•Jubilee Celebrations at Kathy Brown’s Garden with Well DressingStarting at the Manor House Garden, stroll down to the Well Dressing, relax in the beautiful garden and then sit down to a delicious Jubilee Tea. For the kids are a Winnie the Pooh themed play house and a teddy bears’ picnic. Refreshements are in aid of Stevington Church Room refurbishment funds. From 12noon-5pm. Tickets: adults £4.50, children free.Tel: 01234 822064 Email: info@kathybrownsgarden.com www.kathybrownsgarden.com•Antique & Modern Jewellery AuctionEvening jewellery sales have become a highlight of the Bedford sales calendar! Free admission from 5pm at the Bedford Auction Centre.Tel: 01234 266366 www.peacockauction.co.uk•Jazz Club – Frank HarrisonPianist Frank Harrison teams up with Nick Hill on Flugelhorn and Trumpet to play some lesser known but truly great melodies. 8.30pm at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham RdTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Open Mic Big Band Jubilee Jam NiteHosted by local singer/songwriter Matt Roberts, 7.30pm til late. Just listen or join in!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•Lee Plays his Records 3 - 6pm in the marquee at The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•The Mat Roberts Collective Jam SessionThe Flower Pot, Tavistock St Tel: 01234 296732• Jubilee Celebrations with The PistonzLive music from 3pm at The King’s Arms, St Mary’s St. Tel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk• General Knowledge QuizThe King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk

Tuesday 5th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Jubilee Celebrations at Kathy Brown’s Garden with Well DressingStarting at the Manor House Garden, stroll down to the Well Dressing, relax in the beautiful garden and then sit down to a delicious Jubilee Tea. For the kids are a Winnie the Pooh themed play house and a teddy bears’ picnic. Refreshements are in aid of Stevington Church Room refurbishment funds. From 12noon-5pm. Tickets: adults £4.50, children free.Tel: 01234 822064 Email: info@kathybrownsgarden.com www.kathybrownsgarden.com•Medieval Family Fun DayMedieval inspired activities at Shuttleworth Park for all the family including sword displays, mounted hunting games, falconry, archery, jousting, medieval dancing, wandering minstrels, living history camps, crafts, forge work demon-strations plus a medieval marketOpen 10:30-16:30pm. Advance tickets: adults £8, children (5-16 years) £4. Tickets on the gate: adults £10, children (5-16 years) £6.The Mansion House, Shuttleworth Park, Old Warden, Beds. Tel: 01767 626262 www.themansionhouse.org•Tea in the Church BarnSt James’s Church, Church End, Biddenham invites you to tea in the Church Barn from 10.30 -12.30pm and 2pm-5-pm. www.stjamesbiddenham.com•It’s a Knockout!Join the fun with an ‘It’s a Knockout’ style contest takes over. This hilarious and fun competition will take teams of 10 through 8 games across Russell Park. Those brave enough to take part should visit www.bedfordevents.co.uk for more information.Email: Bedford Events Team at events@bedford.gov.uk•Teddy Bears’ Picnic

in association with

Bedford Borough Council’s Premier Entertainment venue

THE L I S T I N gTeddies from far and wide will be travelling to Russell Park to enjoy a spot of lunch as part of the Jubilee celebra-tions from 12.30 to 2.30pm. So dust off your favourite old bear and enjoy an afternoon full of cake, competition and even more memories to treasure.Email: Bedford Events Team at events@bedford.gov.uk www.bedfordevents.co.uk•Bedford Floral Art Society Demonstration‘Flotsam & Jetsam’ demonstration hosted by Nick Grounds. Doors open at 7 for 7.30pm. £5 for visitors at The Addison Centre, Kempston.www.bedfordfloralartsociety.co.uk•The RSPB presents ‘Bug-ingham Palace’!A hands-on event for youngsters! The RSPB will be building a bug hotel throughout the day to make a great home for lots of insects, which will help provide natural food for all the birds at The Lodge in Sandy. Pop in any time between 11am -3pm and add a piece to ‘Bug-ingham Palace’. You can either bring your own, or use their materials. Parking charges apply to non RSPB members, at £4 per vehicle.Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•Morning walks at the RSPBWeekly walks around the reserve, looking for birds, wildlife and enjoying the site. Everyone welcome. From 9.30-11.30am. Free for RSPB members, otherwise £3. RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy. Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•Kathy Brown’s Garden Open DayGroup visits, lectures, books and garden design practice. 1-5pm, £4.50 per person, children free.“A garden of exuberant imagination, atmospheric and brimful of ideas, with a strong emphasis on garden art.” The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington. Tel: 01234 822064 www.kathybrownsgarden.homestead.com•Diamond Jubilee Garden PartyFamily Fun & Games and Live MusicThe White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•White Horse Quiz NightTeams of up to 6, 8.30pm, £1pp entry. Free bingo game for Sunday quizzers!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk

Wednesday 6th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Yoga ClassesSessions cover limbering physical postures, some breath-ing and relaxation, with a gradual focus on meditation. Friendly, welcoming group. Beginners and experi-enced students welcome. 6.15pm. Contact Racheall: 07910835994 www.om-hayoga.com •Tea DancePut on your dancing shoes and join us for a pleasant afternoon in the elegant surroundings of the Bedford Corn Exchange complex. Music for Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence Dances, Party Dances and Old Time.Tickets: £3.50 (advance) £4.00 (on the day) £7.50 - £8.50 (Summer Ball only) Price includes refreshments.Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium & Harpur SuiteBox office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk•Stitch ‘n BitchBring any crafty project to The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd, 7.30pmbeverlyjoburridge@gmail.com Tel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•The Biggest Jam Night in TownDanny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com

Thursday 7th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Books, Maps & Ephemera Auction A specialist book auction at the Bedford Auction Centre. Includes sports books, travel and topography, aviation and military, maps and prints, children’s books, modern first editions and historical documents. Admission free. Starts at 3pm.Tel: 01234 266366 www.peacockauction.co.uk•Bird Watching at the RSPBCome and enjoy the birds on view at the The Lodge in Sandy with the latest binoculars and telescopes. From 10am to 4pm.Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•There’ll Always Be an EnglandCelebrate the Jubilee with patriotic music, nostalgia and fun. Enjoy a trip down memory lane to a time when Britannia did rule the wave and Blue Birds did fly over the White Cliffs of Dover.Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium, Tickets: £12.00Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk•Traditional Music SessionJoin in this monthly folk jam, 8.30pm at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham RdTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Pearl Handled Revolver - UnpluggedLive music in Holy Moly’s, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com

Friday 8th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Wands in the Willow!Join a walk to the willow huts at The Forest Centre, Millennium Country Park, Marston Vale. Make a willow wand and play a game of tree bingo en route. Sessions run at 10am, 11.30am and 1.30pm. £3.50/child. Booking essential. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Tel: 01234 767037 www.marstonvale.org/events•Mini Beast SafariJoin the RSPB at The Lodge in Sandy and discover the fascinating bugs, beetles and mini beasts that live on the reserve. From 2-4pm. Children £4, RSPB Wildlife Explor-ers £3. Booking essential. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Parking charges apply to non RSPB members, at £4 per vehicle.Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge •Little Shop of HorrorsIts 1950’s America and Mr Mushnik owns a run down flower shop in the worst part of town. Downtrodden Seymour and the much abused Audrey are his only staff

and the shop is on the verge of closing. Then Seymour finds a strange and mysterious plant and their lives all take an unexpected twist as the plant brings fame and fortune – just as long as you feed it it’s favourite food – blood! Starts at 7.30pm at Bedford Theatre. Tickets: £13 (£11 concessions). Central Box Office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordtheatre.co.uk/amateurevents/lsoh.php•Little Big Club - Live in ConcertA fabulous stage show experience for the whole family, featuring Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob The Builder, Fireman Sam, Barney the Dinosaur, Angelina Ballerina and Pingu. Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium, Tickets: £14.50 (adult) £12.50 (child) £48.00 (family)Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk•Yoga ClassesSessions cover limbering physical postures, some breath-ing and relaxation, with a gradual focus on meditation. Friendly, welcoming group. Beginners and experi-enced students welcome. 6.15pm. Contact Racheall: 07910835994 www.om-hayoga.com •Vinyl Revival NightDust off those LPs & singles and come to play them at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd from 8pm.Tel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Jimbob (Carter USM) + S*M*A*S*H + Midway StillLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•SpoonfulLive music from 9pm at The Flower Pot, Tavistock StTel: 01234 296732

Saturday 9th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Little Shop of HorrorsIts 1950’s America and Mr Mushnik owns a run down flower shop in the worst part of town. Downtrodden Seymour and the much abused Audrey are his only staff and the shop is on the verge of closing. Then Seymour finds a strange and mysterious plant and their lives all take an unexpected twist as the plant brings fame and fortune – just as long as you feed it it’s favourite food – blood! Performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm at Beford Theatre. Tickets: £13 (£11 concessions). Central Box Office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordtheatre.co.uk/amateurevents/lsoh.php•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further informationArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Kids Get Creative With Craft Planet10am – 4pm FREE DEMONSTRATIONChildren’s card making and more.Tutor: Jenny StewartArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park), Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Odell Village Fête & Dog ShowThe show takes please at the Scout Field, Horsefair Lane, Odell. Attractions include the Bedford Brass Band, bottle and gift stalls, white elephant, a raffle, many side shows and refreshments. From 2pm. Adults £1.50, children free. Tel: Jane Eshelby 01933 410959 www.kbnet.co.uk/odell•Sporting Targets Junior Taster SessionUnder 18s can experience Archery, Air Rifles and Clay Pigeon Shooting, under the supervision of fully qualified instructors. From 10am-12pm at Sporting Targets, Riseley, Beds. Sessions £28 and run for approx two hours. Join a session with up to six other people or make a booking for six. Pre booking essential.Tel: 01234 708893 www.sportingtargets.co.uk•Opera Recital at St Andrew’s Church Carolyn Sampson will be accompanied by Joseph Middle-ton on the piano at St. Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford. Carolyn has enjoyed notable successes in the UK, Europe and the US. She has made many distinguished recordings and appears regularly at the Wigmore Hall. Pre-concert summer supper in the Church Centre at 6.30pm, concert starts at 8pm. Tickets £8, concessions £7, students 16-21 £3. Combined concert and dinner tickets £16Tel: 01234 216881 www.standrewsbedford.org•Alterations WorkshopWorkshop at Singers, Lurke Street. 1-5pm, £30www.singersbedford.com singersewing@hotmail.com•Kids get creative with Craft PlanetFree demonstration, children’s card making and more! 10am-4pm at the Arts Centre, Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park) Tel: 01234 344784 www.artcentre.biz info@artcentre.biz•Reggae & Soul NightHoly Moly’s, Esquire’s. Tel: 01234 340120 www.bed-fordesquires.com•Karaoke with Crazy HorseThe White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•Unforgettable – The Hits of the 1950’s & 60’sHosted by former member of The Drifters - Maurice Can-non, featuring songs of musical icons of the 50’s and 60’s such as Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Frankie Valli, Aretha Franklin..Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium, Tickets: £18.00Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

Sunday 10th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Pavenham Open GardenEnjoy plant sales, teas, train rides and vintage cars in aid of Cancer Research UK. From 2-6pm. Free parking and free mini bus between car parks. Roving tickets: Adults £4, Seniors £3, Children over 12 £1. Email: debby_horsman@hotmail.com•Dawnedge Lodge Open GardenThis spectacular one-acre Victorian walled garden is situated on top of a hill with magnificent views to Woburn. Open 1.30 -5.30pm. Tea and home-made cake available.

Bedford Corn Exchange Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk COMEDY COMiNG SOON: Mark Watson Live Wednesday 7th November

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

9

Entry £4pp. All profits to the British Red Cross. Dawnedge Lodge, Aspley Guise, 3 miles from Junction 13 on the M1. Email: jallum@redcross.org.uk www.redcross.org.uk•Bedford Guided Walk: ‘The Jewel in Bedford’s Crown’Starting at the Tourist Information Centre, St. Paul’s Square, a guided walk will take in the jewel of Bedford’s crown, the River Great Ouse. Starts at 11am. Adults £3, Children over 8 years £1.50. Pre-booking only. Tel: 01234 221755/718112 www.bedford.gov.uk/tourism or www.visitbedford.co.uk •Paul CoxLive music in Danny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•Tie One OnLive at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd from 8pmTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•White Horse Quiz NightTeams of up to 6, 8.30pm, £1pp entry. Free bingo game for Sunday quizzers!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk• Jon’s Music QuizUp to £300 prize money! The King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk

Monday 11th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Open Mic NightHosted by local singer/songwriter Matt Roberts, 8.30pm til close. Just listen or join in!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further informationArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Open Mic NightAt the Devonshire Arms, Dudley St, Bedford. Starts 8pmTel: 01234 359329 www.devonshirearmsbedford.co.uk•Jazz Club – Mark CrookMark Crook on Clarinet is joined by Nick Page on Guitar and Ollie Hayhurst on Double Bass. 8.30pm at The Bed-ford Arms, 2 Bromham RdTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk• General Knowledge QuizThe King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk

Tuesday 12th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Morning walks at the RSPBWeekly walks around the reserve, looking for birds, wildlife and enjoying the site. Everyone welcome. From 9.30-11.30am. Free for RSPB members, otherwise £3. RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy. Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•Kathy Brown’s Garden Open DayGroup visits, lectures, books and garden design practice. 1-5pm, £4.50 per person, children free.“A garden of exuberant imagination, atmospheric and brimful of ideas, with a strong emphasis on garden art.” The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington. Tel: 01234 822064 www.kathybrownsgarden.homestead.com•White Horse Quiz NightTeams of up to 6, 8.30pm, £1pp entry. Free bingo game for Sunday quizzers!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk

Wednesday 13th June••••••••••••••••••••••Yoga ClassesSessions cover limbering, physical postures, some breath-ing and relaxation, with a gradual focus on meditation. Friendly, welcoming group. Beginners and experi-enced students welcome. 6.15pm. Contact Racheall: 07910835994 www.om-hayoga.com •Beer Tasting ClubTasting a range of bottled ales and discussing their merits. Please register your interest with Bev.The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham RdTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•The Biggest Jam Night in TownDanny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•Stewart Lee - Carpet Remnant WorldA new show from BBC2’s Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. “He’s just about the finest funnyman out there”- Time Out, “Flabby and irrelevant” - Frankie BoyleBedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium, Tickets: £18.50Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk•Blithe Spirit The Place Theatre, 7.30pmThe Country Players present Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, a timeless classic and one of his most popular comedies. The play concerns socialite and novelist Charles Condom-ine who, wishing to learn about the occult for a novel he is writing, arranges for an eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to hold a seance at his house. At the seance, she inadvertently summons Charles’s first wife, Elvira, who has been dead for ten years.. Tickets £7.50 on Wednesday (concessions £6.50) and £8.50 (concessions £7)all other evenings. www.theplacebedford.org.uk

Thursday 14th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Federation of Small Business Awards 2012A prestigious black tie event at The Mansion House, Shuttleworth Park, Old Warden, Beds. Celebrating the most successful companies and individuals throughout the county from 7.30 – 2am. Open to all Bedfordshire busi-nesses that employ less than 200 people. Please contact for further details.Tel: 07842 257 851 Email: damian@eventsandpr.co.uk www.themansionhouse.org•Book ClubDiscussing Booker Prize winning novel ‘Disgrace’ by J.

M. Coetzee at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd, 8.00pmianstrgss@googlemail.com Tel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Blithe Spirit The Place Theatre, 7.30pmSee Wed 13th for description. Tickets £7.50 on Wednesday (concessions £6.50) and £8.50 (concessions £7) all other evenings. www.theplacebedford.org.uk•Juicebox Showcase NightLive music in Danny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com

Friday 15th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Art Exhibition in Bedford SchoolAn exhibition at the Main Foyer Gallery at Bedford School by Mark Bennett, based on the places in Germany where C.D. Freidrich lived and painted, with particular attention to landscape work in both the UK and Germany. From 7.30-9pm. Free entry.Tel: 01234 362200 www.bedfordschool.org.uk/mark-bennett-2012/•Wham! Tribute NightLive entertainment and disco at Wyboston Lakes with a two course Chinese themed menu. From 7.30pm - 1am. Over 18s only. Tickets £34.95 online, £36.95 offline. Tel: 0333 7007 666 www.wybostonlakes.co.uk•Yoga ClassesSessions cover limbering, physical postures, some breath-ing and relaxation, with a gradual focus on meditation. Friendly, welcoming group. Beginners and experi-enced students welcome. 6.15pm. Contact Racheall: 07910835994 www.om-hayoga.com •The Merry Wives of Windsor Open air Shakespeare at Moggerhanger Park, 7.30pm. Doors open 1 hour before curtain up. Bring a picnic (no glassware), a rug or folding chair. www.wegottickets.com/NoLossProductions. Advance tickets £12 (£10 conces-sions). Tickets on the day £15 (£12 concessions)•Blithe Spirit The Place Theatre, 7.30pmSee Wed 13th for description.Tickets £7.50 on Wednesday (concessions £6.50) and £8.50 (concessions £7)all other evenings. www.thep-lacebedford.org.uk•A Night of Dirty DancingPrepare to be swept on a whirlwind ride through the great-est movie soundtrack of all time! Don’t miss your chance to hear all of those iconic songs performed by an incred-ible cast in this sexy song and dance spectacular.Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium, Tickets: £17.50Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk•Eddie & The Hot Rods + supportLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•’Mutiny’ Club NightHoly Moly’s, Esquire’s. Tel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•Karaoke with Diamond FireThe White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•Hair of the DogLive music from 9pm at The Flower Pot, Tavistock StTel: 01234 296732

Saturday 16th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Bedford National Trust Association – ‘A History of the Art of Dining’The Addison Centre in Kempston hosts a talk by Michael Sutherland courtesy of the Bedford National Trust Associa-tion. Doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm. Tickets £2 members, £3 non members. Tel: Garry Telling on 01480 860439•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further informationArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Dusk WatchExperiencing the sights and sounds of the RSPB reserve in Sandy as darkness creeps over and secretive nocturnal creatures begin to emerge! From 8pm until late. Advance only tickets: RSPB members £4, non members £6 includ-ing car park. Booking essential. Event will not run in bad weather. Check for latest news and dates on the website. Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•Bedford Hospital Charity Grand Summer BallSince it was founded in 1988, the Bedford Hospital Char-ity has raised more than£6½ million for a wide range of worthy hospital projects. This prestigious event takes place at The Mansion House, Shuttleworth Park, Old Warden, Beds.Tickets £75pp, includes welcome drinks and a delicious three course meal accompanied by entertainment from a live band and followed by a disco. From 7.30–2.00am. There will also be a ceremonial flypast to mark the occasion.Tel: 01767 626262 www.themansionhouse.org•Elstow Brownies Table Top SaleCome and support your local Brownie pack and grab lots of bargains at Elstow Bunyan Christian Fellowship Church. Expect to see homemade cakes, a raffle, tombola, books and Bric a Brac. 10am-2pm, free Admission Tel: Kirsty 07974 742551•Get to know your sewing machineWorkshop at Singers, Lurke Street. 1-4pm, £22.50www.singersbedford.com singersewing@hotmail.com•Get to know your overlockerWorkshop at Singers, Lurke Street. 9.30am-12.30pm, £22.50www.singersbedford.com singersewing@hotmail.com•The Merry Wives of Windsor Open air Shakespeare at Moggerhanger Park, 2pm & 7.30pm. Doors open 1 hour before curtain up. Bring a picnic (no glassware), a rug or folding chair. www.wegot-tickets.com/NoLossProductions. Advance tickets £12 (£10 concessions). Tickets on the day £15 (£12 concessions)•Bedford Choral Society presents The Creation by Haydn

Chaos reigns, but God has plans to bring the chaos under control, and day by day creates the earth, the sea, the light, the vegetation, the creatures, and finally mankind itself. This oratorio is the work of Haydn at his best.Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium, Tickets: £5.00 - £15.00Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk•Blithe Spirit The Place Theatre, 7.30pmSee Wed 13th for description. Tickets £7.50 on Wednesday (concessions £6.50) and £8.50 (concessions £7)all other evenings. www.theplacebedford.org.uk•SpoonfulLive music at the Three Cups, 45 Newham Street, Bedford•Dinosaur DiscoThe Flower Pot, Tavistock St Tel: 01234 296732• Lost 4 WordsLive music at The King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk•Leah Kardos + Tom Copson + Elizah ShaddadLive music in Holy Moly’s, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•New Riot + Hype Theory + MonetLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com

Sunday 17th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Glebe House gardenGlebe house garden, designed by Chelsea gold medallist Tom Stuart Smith, is a relatively new garden located 3 miles west of A1 Biggleswade. Walk through the sunken yew garden, rose garden and water feature garden to Southill Park’s well-established garden with mature trees and flowering shrubs, beautiful rhododendron walks and a large conservatory with tropical plants. Open 1.30-5pm. Entry £4pp. Tea and home-made cakes available. All profits to the British Red Cross.Email: jallum@redcross.org.uk www.redcross.org.uk•Japanese Car ShowA specialist event for Japanese car fans at Santa Pod Race-way, with drag racing, club displays, drifting, demos and more. Gates open at 8am. Tickets £9.60 up to £30.Airfield Road, Poddington, Wellingborough.Tel: 01234 782828 www.santapod.com•Bedford Guided Walk: WWII BedfordDiscover Bedford’s wartime secrets and how the town became a centre for entertainment. Learn about its part in the secret war and as ‘liberty town’ played host to the ‘friendly invasion’. From 11am, pre-booking only. Adults £3, children over 8yrs £1.50. Starting at the Tourist Infor-mation Centre, St Paul’s Square. Tel: 01234 718112 Email: touristinfo@bedford.gov.uk www.bedford.gov.uk/tourism or www.visitbedford.co.uk•Chilli FiestaChallenge your taste buds with our fantastic Father’s Day Chilli at The Mansion House, Shuttleworth Park, Old Warden, Beds. There will be a wide range of activities including demonstrations from award-winning chefs in the Chilli Kitchen, cooking classes at the Chefs’ Academy and stalls offering free samples and selling everything chilli from cheese to chocolate. Quench your thirst at the Chilli Bar or learn how to grow your own chillis with demonstrations in our Gardening Academy. Don’t forget the famous chilli eating competition – it’s bound to be fiery fun! There will also be a circus and funfair to keep children entertained. 10.30am-4.30pm. Advance tickets: Adults £6.50, Children (5-16 years) £3. Tickets on gate: Adults £7.50, Children £4.Tel: 01767 626262 www.themansionhouse.org•Our Time! - A Celebration of Musical TheatreOur Time! is a Rosendale Productions concert raising funds and awareness for Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, bringing Broadway and the West End to the heart of Bedford! The cast and musicians’ credits include Les Miserables, Billy Elliott, Lend Me A Tenor and The Blues Brothers Party (Number 1 UK Tour). Musical highlights include songs from: Jekyll and Hyde, The Witches of Eastwick, Songs for a New World and Sister Act. Tickets £10. For more info contact Kathryn: 07753 634 985•Acoustic Antics with Carlos GuitarlosLive at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd from 8pmTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Thunderbird 5Live music in Danny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•White Horse Quiz NightTeams of up to 6, 8.30pm, £1pp entry. Free bingo game for Sunday quizzers!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk• Jon’s Music QuizUp to £300 prize money! The King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk

Monday 18th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Jazz Club – Gilad AtzmonGilad Atzmon is back by popular demand. The rhythm sec-tion on this evening is The Bedford Arms Rhythm Kings. 8.30pm at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham RdTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further informationArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Open Mic NightHosted by local singer/songwriter Matt Roberts, 8.30pm til close. Just listen or join in!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk• General Knowledge QuizThe King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk•Open Mic NightAt the Devonshire Arms, Dudley St, Bedford. Starts 8pmTel: 01234 359329 www.devonshirearmsbedford.co.uk

Tuesday 19th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Morning walks at the RSPBWeekly walks around the reserve, looking for birds, wildlife and enjoying the site. Everyone welcome. From 9.30-11.30am. Free for RSPB members, otherwise £3. RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy. Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•Kathy Brown’s Garden Open DayGroup visits, lectures, books and garden design practice. 1-5pm, £4.50 per person, children free.“A garden of exuberant imagination, atmospheric and brimful of ideas, with a strong emphasis on garden art.” The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington. Tel: 01234 822064 www.kathybrownsgarden.homestead.com•The Merry Wives of Windsor Open air Shakespeare at Wrest Park, 7.30pm. Doors open 1 hour before curtain up. Bring a picnic (no glassware), a rug or folding chair. www.wegottickets.com/NoLossPro-ductions. Advance tickets £12 (£10 concessions). Tickets on the day £15 (£12 concessions)•Cut Magazine Open Mic UKOpen mic night, bringing acts from outside of Bedford in association with http://cutmagazineuk.comThe Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd from 8pm.Tel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•White Horse Quiz NightTeams of up to 6, 8.30pm, £1pp entry. Free bingo game for Sunday quizzers!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk

Wednesday 20th June••••••••••••••••••••••Tea DancePut on your dancing shoes and join us for a pleasant afternoon in the elegant surroundings of the Bedford Corn Exchange complex. Music for Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence Dances, Party Dances and Old Time.Tickets: £3.50 (advance) £4.00 (on the day) £7.50 - £8.50 (Summer Ball only) Price includes refreshments.Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium & Harpur SuiteBox office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk•The Merry Wives of Windsor Open air Shakespeare at Wrest Park, 7.30pm. Doors open 1 hour before curtain up. Bring a picnic (no glassware), a rug or folding chair. www.wegottickets.com/NoLossPro-ductions. Advance tickets £12 (£10 concessions). Tickets on the day £15 (£12 concessions)•Yoga ClassesSessions cover limbering, physical postures, some breath-ing and relaxation, with a gradual focus on meditation. Friendly, welcoming group. Beginners and experi-enced students welcome. 6.15pm. Contact Racheall: 07910835994 www.om-hayoga.com •Neighbourhood Watch Fundraising Quiz8pm start, £5pp including ploughman’s dinnerLive band at The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, BedfordTel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•Stitch ‘n BitchBring any crafty project to The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd, 7.30pmbeverlyjoburridge@gmail.com Tel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•The Biggest Jam Night in TownDanny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com

Thursday 21st June•••••••••••••••••••••••Music at LunchtimeA superb series of concerts performed in the Recital Hall of Bedford’s Music School. A chance to enjoy a diverse selection of works in beautiful surroundings. Starts at 1pm, admission free.Tel: 01234 362200 www.bedfordschool.org.uk/lunchtime-concerts-summer-2012/•Ouse MusePoetry/spoken word open mic. Reading slots always avail-able. Turn up from 7.30 to reserve your spot.8pm Harpurs Cellar Bar, £3 audience, £2 readers. Contact ian.mcewen@ntlworld.com•Colin Fry - Higher Senses TourBeing one of the world’s most recognised Spiritualist Mediums and Healers, Colin’s TV series ‘6ixth Sense’ has now been broadcast worldwide for 10 years, making his public performances an international demand.Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium, Tickets: £17.50Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

Friday 22nd June•••••••••••••••••••••••Bedford National Trust Association Talk: ‘Detecting Forged Antiquities’ A talk by Andrew Oddy at The Addison Centre, Kempston, Bedford. Coffee will be served beforehand and the National Trust shop will be open. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Visitors welcome. £3 for non members.Tel: Garry Telling 01480 860439•The Merry Wives of Windsor Open air Shakespeare at Swiss Garden, 7.30pm. Doors open 1 hour before curtain up. Bring a picnic (no glass-ware), a rug or folding chair. www.wegottickets.com/No-LossProductions. Advance tickets £12 (£10 concessions). Tickets on the day £15 (£12 concessions)•Yoga ClassesSessions cover limbering, physical postures, some breath-ing and relaxation, with a gradual focus on meditation. Friendly, welcoming group. Beginners and experi-enced students welcome. 6.15pm. Contact Racheall: 07910835994 www.om-hayoga.com •Albany DownLive music from 9pm at The Flower Pot, Tavistock StTel: 01234 296732•Storm WarningLive music in Danny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•The Chapman Family + supportLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•European Sounds Club NightHoly Moly’s, Esquire’s. Tel: 01234 340120

www.bedfordesquires.com

Saturday 23rd June•••••••••••••••••••••••Millennium Country Park Bio-BlitzJoin The Marston Vale Trust and The Bedfordshire Natural History Society for 24 hours of wildlife fun. Local experts will be recording everything that flys, jumps, swims, crawls, hops, slithers and scurries in this mass wildlife re-cording day. Starts 12noon Saturday until 12 noon Sunday at The Forest Centre, Millennium County Park. There will be a whole host of guided walks to get involved in, from moths to butterflies and birds to dragonflies. Walks are £2 per adult and £1 per child. No booking required for day-time walks but booking only for evening moth trapping.Email: anna.charles@marstonvale.org www.marston-vale.org•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further informationArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•St Mary’s Church Summer FêteSporting Scarecrows Competition, 11am to 4pmSt Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Goldingtonwww.stmarygoldington.org.uk•Dressmaking Projects – a simple skirt or trousersWorkshop at Singers, Lurke Street. 9.30am-5pm, £45www.singersbedford.com singersewing@hotmail.com•The Merry Wives of Windsor Open air Shakespeare at Swiss Garden, 7.30pm. Doors open 1 hour before curtain up. Bring a picnic (no glass-ware), a rug or folding chair. www.wegottickets.com/No-LossProductions. Advance tickets £12 (£10 concessions). Tickets on the day £15 (£12 concessions)• The Machine Shed BandLive music at The King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk•’Absolution’ Old School Funk & Soul Club NightHoly Moly’s, Esquire’s. Tel: 01234 340120 www.bed-fordesquires.com•Violet Bones + Paul Hegley BandLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•FriscoLive music in Danny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com

Sunday 24th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Bedford Guided Walk: ‘Are You Being Served?’A historical look at Bedford High Street, starting at Tourist Information Centre, Bedford.See how shopping has changed over the last two hundred years for both shoppers and shopkeepers and the part that individual family businesses played. Starts 11am, adults £3, children over 8yrs £1.50. Pre-booking only.Tel: 01234 718112 Email: touristinfo@bedford.gov.uk www.visitbedford.co.uk or www.bedford.gov.uk/tourism•Olney Duck & Raft Races The Olney Group presents this year’s Duck and Raft Races. The Duck Race starts at 1pm at the weir in Emberton Park (Emberton, Bucks). The Raft Race starts at 2pm. The course runs downstream to the Swimming Steps (fields behind Football Club, East Street, Olney). Expect full race commentary, refreshments, a small fair, water zorbs and more! Free entry, although parking charges apply at Emberton Park. Raft Race entrants of all standards welcome. Tel: Mark Luckin 07743 983686 Email: mark.luckin@googlemail.com www.olneyonline.com/raft•Open Church SundayHistoric churches across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire will be open to welcome visitors of all ages and many will be serving refreshments and organising events.Please see this website for details - www.livinggodslove.org/openchurchsunday•Macmillan Cancer Support Marston Vale WalkSupport Macmillan Cancer by taking part in a choice of 5 or 13 mile routes through ancient woodland while raising money. The walk starts at 10am at the Forest Centre, Marston Vale, with registration between 9 – 10am. £10 to register, under 16s free.Email: marstonvalewalk@macmillan.org.uk www.macmillan.org.uk/marstonvalewalk•National Trust Dovecote & Stables Open AfternoonThese unique stone buildings in Willington are the remains of a Tudor manorial complex in a peaceful setting close to Bedford River Valley Park, incorporating riverside and woodland walks. Open from 1pm until 5pm. A display by Willington Local History Group, ‘School Days - The Happiest Days of Your Life’, features archive photos and memorabilia of life and times in a village school. Teas and toilet facilities in St Lawrence Church nearby. Donations appreciated.Tel: 01234 838409 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-willingtondovecote•Peacock Auction Centre Valuation DayA team of valuers will be on hand to advise on all antique or collectable items (no appointment neccessary). Bring along items for complimentary valuation advice (no obligation). From 10am until 4pm. For larger items, home visits can be arranged – just call to make an appointment. Entries currently invited for specialist sales of Antiques, Jewellery, 20th Century Design, Rock & Pop and Memo-ries of Childhood. Tel: 01234 266 366 www.peacockauction.co.uk•Edible Ornamentals Open GardenChawston is where market gardens are abundant and growing delicious peppers is simply a way of life. Take a guided tour of the greenhouses by the passionate growers and marvel at the very pretty and vibrant chilli plants. Tea and home-made cake available plus fresh chillies, chilli plants and fiery sauces available to buy. Entry £4pp, all profits to British Red Cross. Open 1.30pm-5pm, Edible Ornamentals, Chawston, Roxton, east of Bedford A428 (turn just before the Black Cat) Email: jallum@redcross.org.uk www.redcross.org.uk•St Mary’s Church Summer Fête Patronal Festival Celebration with the Bishop of Bedford at 9.30amOpen Church Sunday 12 noon to 6pmSt Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Goldingtonwww.stmarygoldington.org.uk

JUNE 2012

The Listing Continues on Page 10Bedford Corn Exchange Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk COMEDY COMiNG SOON: Mark Watson Live Wednesday 7th November

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

10

JUNE 2012

Bedford Creative Arts has announced its summer commission: concerto Magnificent: An Anthology of All Things.Bedford Creative Arts believes that culture is all about things that are better done together - with your friends and with your neighbours - so this summer Bedford Creative Arts are inviting you to sing with them. They have commissioned Bedford-based composer Johnny Parry to write a new suite of songs, an ambitious ‘anthology of all things’ to be written and performed with the townspeople’s collaboration. Johnny Parry is a composer who creates operatic contemporary music for orches-tra and voice. Johnny has played with Mercury Prize winner Talvin Singh, revered composer Michael Nyman, Turner Prize winner Martin Creed, Brit Award winner Beth Orton, and BBC Jazz Award winner Seb Rochford Throughout the summer Johnny will bring together a big-hearted army of people to develop a cycle of songs, written and performed in collaboration with the public. Johnny will work with the people of Bedfordshire to aggregate lyrics within the universal themes of Love, Death, Childhood and Religion. He will then bring together a new community choir and orchestra to rehearse and finally perform the songs at a premier performance at Bedford Corn

Exchange on 27th September. Expect grand gestures of love and death expressed through an all-consuming spectacle. The work has already begun to aggregate the lyrics that will form the basis of the songs. Throughout May and June Johnny is working with a variety of local groups, including the Kings Arms Project, MIND in Ampthill, and Bedford Creative Arts’ own creativity and wellbeing group. You can contribute online too by visiting http://bcachoir.johnnyparry.com.

Want to get invovled? Can you sing? Do you want to be part of something amazing? Then the Bedford Creative Arts summer commission needs you! Join Bedford’s newest community choir, and get to learn and perform a new cycle of

songs written about Bedford, by Bedford.

Email info@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk or call 01234 818670 to register your interest.

Choir members must be available to attend rehearsals every Tuesday evening from 10th July, a dress rehearsal on Saturday 22nd September, and the premier performance on 27th September.

Open event: Pop in to our rehearsal venue at Rutland Road Church to meet Johnny, find out about the project, and get a taste of what joining the choir will be like.

Saturday 23rd June 1.30-4pmVenue: Rutland Road Church, Rutland Road, Bedford MK40 1DG

Bca SINgS BEDFORD’S pRaISESMUSiC

The phrase ‘Bedford blues legend’ usually refers to one of those lovely egg-chasing chaps on Goldington Road.

However, for live music fans in Bedford it can only mean one thing: Cherry Lee Mewis! Here’s our interview with North Wales’ best export...

Bedford clanger: How old were you when you realised you could sing? Cherry Lee Mewis: I was 8 years old and I started a girl group in school and we used to practise every lunchtime in the playground and charge kids 5p to sit and watch us! I started by doing talent shows between the ages of 9-11, just as a way for getting out there on stage and gaining some experi-ence with audiences and developing my confidence. I was 12 when my dad bought my first PA system including a good ol’ tape deck for all my backing tracks Being from north Wales, there’s a lot of holiday camps and so my mum and I would go round them all and try to get gigs and before I knew it I had a summer season booked in one of the main camps in north Wales!

Bc: What are your musical influ-ences? CLM:I have such a huge range of influences..I’m a fan of story-telling lyrics, unusual lyrics and topics and Alanis Moris-sette’s songs just blow me away. The voices I admire are Janis Joplin, Jeff Buckley and also an amazing soul singer Marsha Am-brosius. I’m into so many different styles of music and listen to all sorts - Fred McDow-ell, Son House, Howlin’ Wolf, Dalton, Judy Roderick, there are so many! I also love Ike & Tina, Etta James, Koko Taylor and Bette Midler too.

Bc: What attracted you to the blues? CLM: My dad’s records! Growing up, I was

into the songs my friends at school were into and followed the charts, but then there was stuff from way back that none of my friends would listen to but I’d hear it around the house and love it. I got into Janis Joplin and from reading about her influences, Bessie Smith being one, it introduced me to her, then Memphis Minnie, Robert Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Otis Redding and i’d ask my dad about any artists I was checking out at the time and he always would have records by them! I think it’s important to know where things come from. All music evolved from blues.

Bc: Do you have to feel sad to sing the blues?! CLM: Absolutely not no and I think our live shows prove that. I write and sing about real life situations, relatable stuff but I try to not write in a negative way too much so when you come to see us at a gig, I want people to have a ball, to toe-tap, foot-stomp, clap, dance, sing-a-long and most of the time they do and they leave with a big smile on their faces.

Bc: Tell us about your band...CLM: There’s Max Milligan; my guitarist who i’ve been working with for 8 years

now, who is also my collaborator and producer of all three of my albums. Nick Slater who plays resonator guitar, Robbie Stewart-Mathews plays double bass and a mean blues harp and he also has a great voice on him, and Flow on the drums. They’re the fuel to the ignitor – they’re my musical family and we have so much fun on the road.

Bc: What does it mean to you to be nominated in the British Blues awards? CLM: I’m over the moon to have TWO songs put forward for Best Original Song at this year’s awards, both from the new album. One titled Just Can’t Live Without You which was written by Max and I also did a music video for a few weeks ago which you can find on YouTube. The other is Man Overboard which Max and I wrote together. To be recognised for writing is a great acheivement and Max and I are delighted. It’s just great to have a ‘tipping of the hat’ to be honest and shows we’re doing something right!

www.cherryleemewis.comwww.britishbluesawards.co.uk

cHERRy LEE MEWIS SHE’S UP FOR SOME AWARDS!MUSiC

Johnny Parry: Choir is the new loud

Cherry lee Mewis: Orange Crush

•The Merry Wives of Windsor Open air Shakespeare at Swiss Garden, 2pm. Doors open 1 hour before curtain up. Bring a picnic (no glassware), a rug or folding chair. www.wegottickets.com/NoLossProduc-tions. Advance tickets £12 (£10 concessions). Tickets on the day £15 (£12 concessions)•SidewinderPerforming live at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd from 8pmTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Idle HandsLive music in Danny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•White Horse Quiz NightTeams of up to 6, 8.30pm, £1pp entry. Free bingo game for Sunday quizzers!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk• Jon’s Music QuizUp to £300 prize money! The King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk

Monday 25th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Jazz Club – Colin WatlingTenor Sax man Colin Watling returns for another hot ses-sion of music, this time with Russ Williams on Keyboard and Florence Moore on Double Bass. 8.30pm at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham RdTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Big Band Xtra Jam NiteHosted by local singer/songwriter Matt Roberts, 7.30pm til late. Just listen or join in!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further informationArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz• General Knowledge QuizThe King’s Arms, St Mary’s StreetTel: 01234 354494 www.thekingsarmsbedford.co.uk•Open Mic NightAt the Devonshire Arms, Dudley St, Bedford. Starts 8pmTel: 01234 359329 www.devonshirearmsbedford.co.uk

Tuesday 26th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Morning walks at the RSPBWeekly walks around the reserve, looking for birds, wildlife and enjoying the site. Everyone welcome. From 9.30-11.30am. Free for RSPB members, otherwise £3. RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy. Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•Kathy Brown’s Garden Open DayGroup visits, lectures, books and garden design practice. 1-5pm, £4.50 per person, children free.“A garden of exuberant imagination, atmospheric and brimful of ideas, with a strong emphasis on garden art.” The Manor House, Church Road, Stevington. Tel: 01234 822064 www.kathybrownsgarden.homestead.com•White Horse Quiz NightTeams of up to 6, 8.30pm, £1pp entry. Free bingo game for Sunday quizzers!The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk

Wednesday 27th June••••••••••••••••••••••Bedford Organ & Keyboard Club ConcertThe Bedford Organ and Keyboard Club present popular Organist Phil Brown in Concert at The Addison Centre, Kempston. 8pm start. Entry: £4 members, £5 non-membersTel: Brian Noble 01234 344423 Email: bedsokc@gmail.com•Yoga ClassesSessions cover limbering, physical postures, some breath-ing and relaxation, with a gradual focus on meditation. Friendly, welcoming group. Beginners and experi-enced students welcome. 6.15pm. Contact Racheall: 07910835994 www.om-hayoga.com •Beer Tasting ClubTasting a range of bottled ales and discussing their merits. Please register your interest with Bev.The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham RdTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Bedford Lions Fundraising Quiz8pm start, £5pp including ploughman’s dinnerLive band at The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, BedfordTel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•The Biggest Jam Night in TownDanny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com

Thursday 28th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Turvey Village Hall Variety ShowAn evening of great entertainment featuring songs and sketches. Some proceeds from the show will go to cancer charities. 8pm start. Tickets £5-£8, available from the TATS box office, Central Stores, Turvey.Tel: 01234 714644/711811 www.tats.org.uk•Stockwell Woodland WalkJoin a guided summer evening walk at Eggington, Leigh-

ton Buzzard around this award-winning woodland with indigenous Bedfordshire species providing a rich habitat for wildlife, followed by a visit to Pecks Farm shop which promotes healthy, locally grown food, specialist gourmet, organic and deli products as well as a wide selection of beers from local micro breweries. Meet at 6pm for 6.15pm. Members £1, non- CPRE members £3.Tel: Bedford Office 01234 353331 www.cprebeds.org.uk•The Last Chance Ragtime BandLive music at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham RdTel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.ukFriday 29th June•••••••••••••••••••••••Bees, Bugs & BeastiesAs part of National Insect week, The Lodge’s RSPB warden will be showing some of the amazing insect life that live on the reserve in Sandy. Many specialist ground burrowing wasps and bees can be seen along with rare heath land species. From 11am-11pm. Booking advisable. Adults £4, RSPB members £3, children £3, RSPB Wildlife explorers £2. Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•Solo Prize Winners ConcertPerformed in Bedford School’s stunning Great Hall or the Recital Hall. Everyone welcome, free entry, 7.45pm start.Tel: 01234 362200 www.bedfordschool.org.uk/summer-concerts-2012•Yoga ClassesSessions cover limbering, physical postures, some breath-ing and relaxation, with a gradual focus on meditation. Friendly, welcoming group. Beginners and experi-enced students welcome. 6.15pm. Contact Racheall: 07910835994 www.om-hayoga.com •Ceroc Modern Jive Night (Jive/Salsa)Come and join in the fun alone or with a partner, enjoy a great party atmosphere and a top DJ. Dancing until 12.15am.Bedford Corn Exchange, Main Auditorium, Tickets: £9.00 (on the door)Box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.ukwww.uk-smoooth.co.uk www.ceroccentral.com•Jazz in the Garden for St John’s HospiceTickets to include supper, contact Nigel for more info.The White Horse, Newnham Avenue, BedfordTel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk•Devil’s MojoLive music from 9pm at The Flower Pot, Tavistock StTel: 01234 296732•All The Young + supportLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•’Hellfyre’ Club NightHoly Moly’s, Esquire’s. Tel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•Done To DeathLive music in Danny’s Bar, Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com

Saturday 30th June•••••••••••••••••••••••The Great British Meppershall Summer Fair Lots of fun for everyone including children’s activities and races, Scrufts dog show, tug-o-war, tea and cakes, a beer tent and classic cars. From 1pm until 5pm at the field behind Meppershall Village Hall, Bedfordshire•RSPB Moth NightGet close- up views of some amazing moths, set up light traps and then inspect the catch! This event is run with Bedfordshire’s county moth recorders at The Lodge in Sandy. From 9pm until late. Adults £4, RSPB members £3, children £2, RSPB Wildlife Explorers £1. Advance book-ing and payment essential.Tel: 01767 680541 www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge•Clophill Open Gardens WeekendChildren’s treasure hunt, plant stall, ploughman’s lunches, teas and homemade cakes. 12-6pm Sat and Sun, free park-ing. Programmes £4, entry included, accompanied children free. Programmes valid for both days. All proceeds to St Mary’s Church, High Street, Clophill 01525 860108 www.stmaryschurchclophill.org•Painting For The TerrifiedClasses for beginners - 21/2 hour sessionTutor: David Lewry. Phone for further informationArt Centre Howard Street, (Underneath Lurke Street Car Park),Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 3HSTelephone: 01234 344784Website: www.artcentre.biz • Email: info@artcentre.biz•Big MistryLive music from 9pm at The Flower Pot, Tavistock StTel: 01234 296732•Army of Lights + supportLive music on the Main Stage at Esquire’sTel: 01234 340120 www.bedfordesquires.com•Geoff & Hammy’s Northern Soul NightHoly Moly’s, Esquire’s. Tel: 01234 340120 www.bed-fordesquires.com•Foxy Belles Vintage Revival NightFollowing from its roaring success in April, the Foxy Belles return for more records, hair-dos and dancing at The Bedford Arms, 2 Bromham Rd.Tel: 01234 214656 www.thebedfordarmsbedford.co.uk•Karaoke with Crazy HorseThe White Horse, Newnham Avenue, Bedford Tel: 01234 409306 www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk

I Am Kurious Oranj!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

11We really want to see your photos of Bedford

JUNE 2012

THE CHEESE KITCHENThe newly refurbished Cheese Kitchen Deli & Cafe shops opening soon!

As you are no doubt aware we have been rather busy lately turning the “ old cop shop” On Castle road into our deli and are currently in the process of turning our current shop into a Cafe. Basically we are splitting our current business into

two premises.

THE CHEESE KITCHEN DElIin our new deli we will be dedicating a whole room to Cheese. this will be

temperature controlled and will also house our local deli meats etc, some Cheeses will be matured in here.

in the front of the shop will be the fine wine from george Atkinson-Clark of the Woburn Wine Company, a Chocolate counter with chocolates from a local

Chocolatier. French Pattiserie, lots of local preserves and other fine local produce.

THE CHEESE KITCHEN CafEthe Cheese Kitchen Cafe will have a lot more seating inside, possibly up to 20

seats. We are also putting in an upstairs toilet in which used to be our office and store room. the Kitchen is being extended as we are producing a lot of our own

food. Joris, our Head Chef has come up with a fabulous menu and will be working with Kasia, a Cordon Bleu trained chef who he recently worked with at

the fat duck in March of this year.the menu will be “simply” delicious, simple food done well using local food from

the Cheese Kitchen deli. Justin and i are hoping to open the Cafe in the evenings, subject to licensing which i’m sure will be very popular with the locals.

the walls of the Cafe will display local artists work which will be available to purchase. this will be changed on a monthly basis.

If you are a local artist and would like to display your work with us please telephone Helen on 01234 217325 or Email Helen at The Cheese Kitchen on

thecheesekitchen@gmail.com. To make an appointment.

A local community pub in the Castle road area of Bedford.

BEER fESTIVal16 Cask ales. Plus Ciders

Diamond Jubilee Bank HolidayStarts friday 4th June at 17:00

32 dudley Street, Bedford, MK40 3tB

tel 01234 359329

Monday 4 June to Thursday 5 JulyEagle gallery, 101 castle Road, Bedford MK40 3Qp

The Eagle Gallery’s new Journeys exhibition opens this month, and one of the artists exhibiting is perfectly suited to the theme.Marianda spends half the year living in New Zealand and half in the UK - and her work has been inspired by her travels. Marianda has called Bedford home for many years, but was born in New Zealand and has recently started leading a ‘double life’ – splitting her time between her homeland and the UK: “The ability to travel and live somewhere else has changed me and my approach to my work; I’ve become more versatile as an artist. “I’m back in Bedford for the summer,” explains Marianda. “It can be an unsettling lifestyle in terms of impermanence, but going back to my New Zealand heritage has made me really think about who I am as a person, question what I do and how I live, the meaning of being an artist and the

work I produce. I’ve come to the conclusion that essentially it doesn’t really matter what it all means, I just live my life to the full, responding as meaningfully as possible; appreciating my good fortune in being able to do that.” The long journeys between the UK and New Zealand (36 hours of continuous travelling from one home to another) act as spaces for Marianda to think about where her artistic practice will go next. “I think about the last six months and what I’d like to achieve for the next ‘summer’,” says Marianda. “I now also prepare a travel journal - my first was a Moleskine, the latest an old book overdrawn with gessoed pages. I did draw my meal the one and only time we were upgraded on a flight, so the journal reflects the physical journey I take, and its direct experiences!” Marianda continues: “Postcards have

formed a series of artworks for me. Reacting against the ‘perfectionist, do not touch’ type of art, I have drawn mini works of art that, by being sent in the post, have the opportunity to experience the vagaries of life, travel a bit them-selves before ‘settling down’; their appearance

on arrival may reflect their journey, and adding sewn pieces of paper, knitted grass or maps adds to the uncertainty!” For the Eagle Gallery ‘Journeys’ exhibition Marianda aims to exhibit some ‘unconscious drawing’ - made by holding a pencil loosely over some paper (from an old book) on a car trip, capturing the bends and bumps in the road. She says: “This travel of the pencil on the paper, the journey, becomes the background of a drawing of a small village, the destination.” Marianda will be one of 45 artists exhib-iting at the Journeys exhibition at the Eagle Gallery. The show will include an exhibi-tion of postcards. Free entry and disabled access. Works are for sale. Gift vouchers available.

www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk@Eagle_Gallery

JOURNEyS

This July, grab your camera and get invovled in our community photo project which aims to show Bedford as it’s never been seen before. A Photo A Day is your opportunity to show what Bedford means to you - in 31 ways over 31 days! With the help of photographer Jez Brown, we’ve identified a word a day for the whole of July. On each day, we’d like you to take a photograph that relates to that particular word - and it’s totally up to you how you interpret it. You can take the word literally, or euphemistically - anything goes! We’ll be using the twitter hashtag #aphotoa-day to track the daily submissions, so please make sure you tag your entries.

There are also Tumbler and Flickr accounts where photographs will be posted.• www.flickr.com/photos/aphotoadaybed-ford/• thebedfordclanger.tumblr.com/

In the September issue we will publish the

31 photos that we think sum up July 2012 in Bedford. This is open to anyone and everyone and you can take part for the whole month, or just choose one particular day or word that you’d like to concentrate on. It’s up to you. (With thanks to @bradfordia for sharing their idea with us)1. Water2. Style3. Park4. Independent5. Holiday6. Childhood7. Bridge8. Torch9. Street10. Music11. Transport12. (re)cycle13. Culture 14. Wood15. Together16. Funny17. Home18. Time & motion19. Animals20. Heritage21. River

22. Festival23. Play24. Clanger25. Tea26. Texture27. Sport28. Night29. Reflection30. Food31. Made in Bedford

a pHOTO a Day - 31 days and 31 ways of looking at our town

Make it Snappy

ART

PHOTOGRAPHY

An exhibition of expeditions

Phot

o: S

haun

Arm

stro

ng

Esquires, Bedford's iconic live music venue, is celebrating its 22nd birthday this month with a weekend of events kicking off on Friday 1st June.Having hosted gigs by household names such as Coldplay, The Libertines, Elbow

and Laura Marling, Esquires is the go-to destination for Bedford's live music fans, and this bank holiday is no exception. The Listing features all the info you’ll need on their birthday celebrations, but highlights include Clanger faves the Ouse Valley Singles Club, The X Certs, Olie Campbell, KAIN, The Omnivibes, Abrasions and Envy Four. Entry is free to all birthday events, so why not take advantage of the double bank holiday and see some great live music. We asked Esquires’ DJ and promoter Pete Burridge who he’s most enjoyed see-

ESQUIRES’ BiRTHDAY CElEBRATiONSMUSiC

ing at Esquires and why live music is so important: “My highlights have been Eliza Doolittle, The Klaxons, The Libertines, Supergrass, Elbow and The Quireboys. For me, live music is very much a way of life and provides the soundtrack to your life.” And the secret to Esquires’ success? “Esquires has lasted so long as it provides music from all genres and appeals to all age groups.” Simple! Happy Birthday Esquires!

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

12 No way! One hundred No Parlez!

JUNE 2012

Come & enjoy our luncthtime special:

2 Black Rock steaks for just £12.

20 Castle Lane, Bedfordwww.cafeangelo.com

@cafeangeloscafeangelos

bedfords blackrock grill

••Follow the cafeangelos duck on facebook••

WEEKly HaTHa yoga ClaSSES..Sessions cover, limbering, physical postures, some breathing and

relaxation with a gradual focus on meditation...

friendly, welcoming group meets on:•Wednesdays (intermediates) 6.15-7.45pm•fridays (beginners/those with some experience)6.15-7.30pmfirst Trail class free..

Contact racheall:07190835994 for more detailsE-mail: racheall.monton@ntlworld.comWebsite: www.om-hayoga.co.uk

The Oxjam Takeover is coming to Bedford for the first time on Saturday 27th October!The Takeover is a multi-venue music festival, featuring the best local bands and artists, in the pick of the town’s music ven-ues. The ‘home’ of the Takeover is all the fantastic venues who’ll be supporting the event, bringing great music to the Bedford-ian masses. The Takeover is organised by a dedi-cated team of volunteers who are currently recruiting anyone and everyone who’s keen to support Oxfam and Bedford’s live music scene. From 15 year-old bass players to fifty year-old experts in promotion, we’re looking to get the whole town involved. We want to celebrate Bedford’s rich cultural diversity by putting on a line up that’s representative of the many communities that make up our town, to make the Takeover the biggest and best one day festival that Bedford’s ever seen. And there’s more.... The Takeover team and the wider community will be

organising a series of supporting fundrais-ing events in the run up to the Takeover itself. “We’re thinking sustainable fashion shows and under-18 Battle of the Bands, Beat the Goalie at the Euros and bands on trucks at the town’s River Festival. Whatever your interest, there’s an opportunity for the local community to get involved,” said lead organiser Clare Sullivan. “We’ve already been inundated with ideas and willing volunteers to make this happen. By the time of the Takeover itself, hundreds of volunteers will have sup-ported us in organising events and raising money, including a huge number of young volunteers from the Central Beds 13 – 18 volunteer group.” The Takeover team has no budget to spend to put on this magnificent series of events. To they’re relying on the kindness of strangers and sponsors to help rent sound equipment, print flyers and posters, and OK, maybe buy the occasional cup of tea for their lovely volunteers. Sound engineers, sound equipment rental and tickets, flyers and posters don’t come cheap, and without these things, there’ll be no Takeover. The event is in the early planning stages, and winning the ivo Newshound competition

would go a very long way to covering these costs. All money raised from Oxjam’s Bedford Takeover will fund Oxfam’s vital work,

from life-saving emergency responses to life-changing devel-

opment projects and campaign-ing, all part of their goal to eradicate poverty. So, what’s in it for Bedford? “Well, we’ll be

supporting local businesses through sponsorship opportunities

and promotion, we’ll be showcasing the best in Bedford’s live music scene and we’ll be creating countless opportunities for all members of the community to come together in a shared love of great music, and shared support of an inspiring cause,” said Clare. “We’ll see folky fellows jigging while metallers are moshing, grannies tea-dancing while kids are hip-hopping, all raising lots of money and awareness for Oxfam, and fostering a real sense of com-munity spirit.”

The Oxjam Bedford Takeover – local mu-sic, global impact.

THE OXJaM TaKEOvER IS cOMINg….

TakeoverBedford

LOvE OF THE cOMMON Lp: COllECTiNG 100 COPiES OF PAUl YOUNG’SNO PARlEzBy Richard Black

When you’re rifling through the old records in charity shops, you expect to see some of them over and over again:

Leo Sayer’s ‘Endless Flight’; Boney M’s ‘Nightflight to Venus’; the Ste-reo Musicale Showcase… but ‘No Parlez’ was always the certainty.

In 2002, I decided to buy every charity shop copy of ‘No Parlez’ I found, a project involving no skill beyond an ability to focus on what’s unimportant. I’d been inspired by an exhibition of Joseph Beuys’ ‘Multiples’ (sets of objects, sometimes adapted from existing mass produced items.) Beuys’ interest was in distributing his work, creat-ing connections between him and those who owned it: basically, the opposite of a collec-tion. I took a different approach: deter-minedly, excessively collecting something I didn’t actually want.

‘No Parlez’ was particularly suitable as I had no opinion of it. I’d never heard it. It sold over a million copies, but made no im-pression on me. Obviously the singles were different: huge hits coinciding with my first awareness of pop music, and I was always struck by Pino Palladino’s distinctive bass. But speaking as somebody fascinated by music, ‘No Parlez’ was more an object than a collection of songs.

I started strongly, picking up most of the records in six months, but eventually sup-plies dwindled. I could/should have given up, but I started making increasingly long detours further afield. Once, after a fruitless

day searching three towns, I was close to giving up when, in the Princess Alice Hospice shop, Kingston, I found six copies in one go. The lady behind the counter had a twinkle in her eye, suggesting that somehow, she understood.

I developed an instinct for recognising the edge of the sleeve from the slightest peripheral glimpse. Unfortunately this ‘skill’ has remained permanently ingrained. I became fascinated by minor differences in the covers, the stickers that were sometimes applied, and the American version with its totally different sleeve. By this point I’d decided 100 copies would be enough, but what to do with them? Maybe play them all simultaneously? Potentially spectacular with one problem: I don’t have 100 record players. Maybe construct something from the sleeves? Boxes? A system of tunnels...? Or maybe a celebration party (to be called ‘No Partez’) marking the hundredth copy bought…? In the end, the collection sat neatly on my fridge.

I’d made a point of never listening to the record- until this year. In the last decade, the No Parlez phenomenon has become widely noted. After a mention in Little Britain (Tom Baker announcing, “I myself own two records, both ‘No Parlez’ by Paul Young”) websites and recent articles make claims about it being officially the most common charity shop LP, prompting my revival of interest in the collection. While the covers were being photographed for a potential book, it felt like it was time I gave it a proper listen.

I am now resisting the urge to buy another 100 copies.

PHOTOGRAPHY

MUSiC

Phot

ogra

phy:

Chr

istia

n W

ebb

Licensed cafe/deli & gift shopNow open evenings (Thurs - Sat)

0791 3342654www.andaluzshop.co.uk120a castle road bedford

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

13Will there be more Olympians from Bedford in the future?

gREaT BEDFORDIaNS: OLyMpIc aSpIRaTIONS: JOCK AND MAlCOlM DAlRYMPlE

JUNE 2012

ESTABLISHED 198758a York Street, Bedford MK40 3RL

Supplying high quality Printing to the Bedford Communityfor 25 years

www.whitehartpress.co.uk

01234 270465 email: info@whitehartpress.co.uk

By Kristian PurcellCuratorial Assistant, The Higgins Art Gallery & Museum, Bedford.

The best thing about my role at The Higgins is that i’ve worked across all the varied collections here. At the beginning of the year I was work-ing on the Ethnography collection, original-ly part of the old Bedford Modern School museum from 1886-1962, choosing which objects would go on display and writing the accompanying text. More recently I’ve been working on the Handley-Read decorative arts collection bought for the Cecil Higgins collection in 1972, telling the story of the Gothic Revival and of the extraordinary Victorian designer William Burges. This variety can lead to a better under-standing of the collection as a whole and sometimes lead to unexpected discoveries. While reading up on Art furniture of the late 19th century, I came across a photograph (c.1895) of a room decorated in a style heavily inspired by Japan by the designer A. H. Mackmurdo for the painter Mortimer Menpes. In the picture were several very familiar chairs – they were exactly identi-

BEHIND THE ScENES aT THE MUSEUMcal to a chair I was planning to put in the Ethnography display. We didn’t know much about our chair, the entry in the register said only: ‘Buddhist priest chair – laquer Pres. By Maj. Gen. Cameron June 1940’ [sic] For most of the ethnography collection this is the first time we have been able to research what it is we have but this isn’t always easy. This chair was thought to have an association with Burma but no written evidence of its ori-gin. The photo I discovered led me to discover that the chair was in fact Japanese, a kyokuroku, or folding chair. Menpes had imported between 10 and 20 for his own house, before selling the house in 1900. It could be that ours is one of those chairs bought later in a London auction house or sale room, or possibly one imported from Japan at a similar time for sale. We are still researching about Major-General Cameron, but it doesn’t look like he went to Japan himself, serving in North Africa and Ireland, and later as chief Air-raid Warden in Bedford from 1938 to 1940, just before he presented the chair to the museum.

By Lydia Saul

Malcolm Dalrymple BEM (2.12.1922 – 17.11.2008), was the son of James (3.2.1892 – 14.5.1960), who settled in Bedford from Scotland. ‘Jock’ as James was known, earned a living as a railway worker. He retired from his earlier military career after being severely injured and sought to rebuild his strength and health through fitness. Jock was coached during the 1920’s by an earlier Olympic competitor Captain FAM Webster, one of the foremost coaches in the country. Webster, based in Bedford, trained him in javelin and athletics. Jock keenly practiced the javelin in the railway yards at Bedford, where he worked as a carriage cleaner for the LMS Railway. The coaching paid off and he was the first Briton to exceed 170 ft. In 1923 he was the first British man to win the AAA title in javelin, was the British record holder, and went on to represent Britain at the Olympic Games in 1924.

Jock later set up his own fitness club in Bedford, where many budding athletes passed through its doors, including Malcolm his son. James was also the pioneer of an athletics summer school at Loughborough, where the now famous Sports University is situated. You can see some footage from the 1930’s of one of these summer schools on the British Pathe website. “Teaching the Teacher No.2” features commentary from Captain Webster and images of Jock Dalrymple instructing the athletes.

Malcolm wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, and Jock coached his son in ath-letics. Malcolm competed in hurdle races, cross-country championships, hammer-throwing, shot put, as well as javelin. By 1938 at 16 years old he was County

champion for the shot, hammer and javelin, and the following year awarded as junior javelin champion. Throughout the war years Malcolm continued to im-prove his technique and athleti-cism whilst studying at London University. In 1944 he broke the British record, but tore a muscle in his arm and was out of compe-tition for much of the following year. Undeterred he fought his way back to health and by 1946 Malcolm was again competing at international level, not only in the javelin but also hammer.

In 1948 during the qualifying rounds for the games, Malcolm achieved a new British record for the javelin and was selected to represent Great Britain. At this time Malcolm worked full time as a pattern maker at Allen’s, Queens Engineering Works in Bedford, so his training was restricted to before and after work. Training was quite difficult con-sidering his sport was to throw a javelin as far as it will go, and the only place with suf-ficient street light was along Grafton Street! Kenneth Allen, the Director of the works, got wind of this and said “Dalrymple, I understand you are throwing the javelin in the street...Not any more – you will have an extra hour at lunchtime and your father as well. You can go to Allen Park and do your training there. You will then make the time up after work”.

When in training he didn’t have any special diet, like athletes do today. Rationing was still in force and would be for another six years, but the Canadian Olympic Associa-

tion sent food parcels to British athletes likely to compete at the Games to help them keep fit and healthy. Sadly when the day ar-rived on the 4th August for him to compete he did not perform at his best and despite his achievements in the run up to the games he did not make it to the final round of the Javelin. Malcolm did not let this set back stop him and he continued to compete at national level until 1957, becoming a coach, and even coaching the British Police Team to keep them on their toes. Malcolm was 35 when he gave up competition level, an age that would merit a ‘pension’ in the javelin these days.

He continued coaching after his retirement from competition, and was invited to offici-ate at major athletics events by the Amateur Athletic Association. In 1980 Malcolm made a comeback competing for Bedford & County AC in the hammer, and in the European Veterans Championships in 1982

and came a very respectable 4th .

So why did he do it all? Well it was the fun of the events. It gave him the opportunity to travel, meet people and generally try his best as well as to break records. Discipline and a willingness to make the sacrifices needed to compete at the highest level were in his blood and he found the challenge of competition irresistible. Both Jock and Malcolm are deserving of being remem-bered as great Bedfordian’s who started a tradition of sportsmanship in the county that continues today.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Malcolm Dalrymple and Jim Inglis, who interviewed Malcolm as part of Bedford’s Sporting Heroes exhibition in 2008 from which the above information was compiled.

Illus

tratio

n: D

avid

Litc

hfiel

d

Jock & Malcolm: Good Sports

This photograph... ... And a familiar chair

By Vicki Mannersi became interested in conserving and repairing old documents and books as a result of working as a volunteer for the Bedford & luton Archives Service (BlARS).

My first job there involved working on their Paths to Crime Project where I helped catalogue, clean, repair, and re-package the Bedford Quarter Session for the period 1831 - 1900. It was fascinating working on this project as not only was it extremely satisfying to transform a bundle of tatty papers, into clean and neatly organised boxes for people to use, but it was also in-teresting reading through some of the cases. These ranged from people being deported for stealing food, to local theft and fencing rings, and horse stealing. As I opened each packet to clean and repackage, I could not help but wonder if any of my ancestors would appear on Gaol Calendar for each Quarter Session! The current project I am working on is with a conservator cleaning and repairing the architectural drawings for Wrest Park. Some of the drawings are absolutely beauti-ful. These include detailed coloured draw-ings of the estate once it was completed, as well as a huge number of design sketches of both the house and garden that show the architect’s thoughts and plans as he was designing the estate. When I am not volunteering at BLARS, I spend my time repairing books for clients, as well as old certificates of births, death and marriage for people who are interested in family history and want to preserve these important records for future generations. I also repair antique maps, and am currently working on a 1695 map of Bedfordshire and an 1884 map of Bedford Town Centre. The 1884 map is fascinating, and if I can get my act together I will provide a copy of this for the next edition of the Bedford Clanger! If you are interested in having Vicki repair any of your old family history docu-ments, please call 07976 718624.Have you got an unusual job? Then we’d love to hear from you. Please email thebedfordclanger@gmail.com and we could feature you.

MY JOB: The conservator

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

I think the coffee and cake correspondant has the best job.14

JUNE 2012

RECiPE lazy Roast Carrots with Cumin and Goats Cheese This month’s recipe is so versatile it will take you through the typical British sum-mer! Stuff it into pitta bread for a gorgeous portable picnic snack, pile it onto freshly baked bread for a meze–style lunch in the garden or serve as a spicy side dish when you need a little comfort food.

By Jane Baxter, taken from the Riverford Farm Cook Book

Serves 4iNGREDiENTS:1 bunch of carrots (about 750g) – no peeling required!4 tbsp olive oil2 tsp cumin seeds, lightly toasted in a dry frying pan and then ground2 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted in a dry frying pan75g goat’s cheese, crumbled1 tbsp chopped mintextra virgin olive oilScrub the carrots and cut in half length-ways. Put them in a roasting tin and toss with the olive oil. Roast in an oven at 180°C for about 50 minutes until tender and caramelised.Mash the roasted carrots roughly with a fork, a masher or your hands and mix with the ground cumin. Spread the mashed carrots on a plate and sprinkle with the pine nuts, goat’s cheese and herbs. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve.

THE EMBaNKMENT

Where the Sun Never Sets

Cumin Try This Recipe

Empire strikes back

Orange and Poppy-seed cake at pensieriBy Alice Smith

Whilst Tilly and I were sitting in Pensieri, looking out on the soon to be re-vamped Higgins museum, a customer sitting next to us on the comfy sofa sipping hot chocolate whilst catching up with some work, told us that she thinks of Pensieri as ‘a little oasis of calm.’ And it really is. Maria is friendly and welcoming, and seems to know most of her customers by name. It is light and airy, with big windows looking out on the cultural quarter. There are magazines and newspapers to read (including The Clanger) if you’ve just nipped in for a welcome twenty minutes of me-time. The work of local artists displayed on the wall, together with the stylish range of gifts and cards – and a rail of clothes - means that there are plenty of interesting goodies to ogle (and birthday present-lists to compile,) whilst you relax and enjoy your cake and coffee.

After a prolonged period of cake-gazing and tough decisions, Tilly and I went for the orange and poppy seed cake, and were not disappointed. It has the benefit of not being overwhelmingly sweet, and therefore is a le-gitimate 11am kind of cake, no bad thing by my reckoning. It is also pleasingly squidgy in the middle and the flavour of the orange gives it a lovely zesty kick. The addition of poppy seeds makes for a gorgeous texture as well as tasting good and maintaining the general ‘this contains seeds, so is therefore probably very good for you’ feel of the cake. Also on offer were a lush-looking pear frangipane, a chocolate, fig and almond cake, and a gluten, dairy and nut-free treats. The coffee was lovely, proper filter coffee made from scratch, and judging by the number of people ordering hot chocolate, that must be a bit of a treat too. It was not a problem taking a small person with me – Tilly had a brilliant time, enjoyed her cake and juice, gazed out of the window, and just before we left said, ‘Mummy, I think this might be the best shop in the world.’ Praise indeed!Pensieri, Castle Lane, Bedford

COFFEE & CAKE

There’s something about the Empire with The Embankment. It’s not just the Kiwi waitress, or the Irish Sommelier, or the Winston Churchill quota-tion on the back of a blouse. The food, the ambience, the huge lightshades wrapped in brown crepe all convey a solid Britishness, an Edwardian experience made fashionable by the modish revamp of a stately building. This theme of Empire is carried in the menu which, with a nod to former colonies, has a contemporary British theme and un-derstandably prides itself on locally sourced and free range produce. It’s an impressive carte with an equally impressive specials board and there’s plenty of beef, bream, crab and herb sausage to satisfy the gastro gourmet. We started with a root vegetable soup - hearty and well seasoned - and herb pan-cakes with a pea and leek stuffing and a pol-lock and mustard cream sauce. The Either/

Phot

o: G

raha

m W

atso

n

Hungry?

FOODS OF ITALYDELICATESSEN • FRESH BREAD • PASTAS • PLATTERS

75 BOWER STREET, BEDFORD, MK41 3RB Tel:01234 213 500www.foodsofitalybedford.co.uk

MaKE yOUR OWN pIzza FOR £4.99(includes 1 pizza dough, 1 fresh mozzarella ball, 2 slices of ham,

10 slices of pepperoni, pizza sauce & tub of selected mixed olives)

OR 10% OFF 1 BOTTLE OF WINE(on selected wines only)

advert must be presented and expires on 10th June 2012

LOCAL FAMILY BUTCHERWide range of BBQ meats, including our Legendary Homemade Sausages!

Hog Roaster available to hire for functions - summer parties, weddings, fetes...

Call us today for more information!1 ST CUTHBERT’S STREET TEL: 01234 353390

Portuguese restaurant4 Newnham Street, Bedford MK40 3JR Tel: 01234 364400

www.baiadecascais.co.uk

iNDUlGE YOUR TASTEBUDS iN BEDFORD iN JUNElove Bedford’s most popular annual food festIndulge in Bedford is back.A campaign run by the Bedford Business Improvement District (BID), Indulge promotes the best places to eat and drink in the town - and offers customers the chance to sample dishes at very special prices. Among them is Mille Baci in St Loye’s Street which is represents a third generation of Italian restaurateurs. Starting back with the local legend of Sor-rentino’s, then moving along to La Fontana, the same family have been preparing great Italian food for decades. Now Angelina and her chef husband Pep are welcoming customers to Mille Baci. “We are delighted to be representing great Italian cooking in this important

promotion for Bedford restaurants,” said the couple. Every year a selection of restaurants take part in Indulge - but the choice doesn’t end there as Bedford has literally dozens of great places to eat and drink throughout the and evening.

www.lovebedford.co.uk www.indulgeinbedford.co.uk

Or list of options allows for big or small and the pancake was the perfect starter. For mains Lucy enjoyed the Superfood salad – plumping for the small, having gorged herself on chocolate biscuits at work. It was a fresh, crisp salad with salmon and puy lentils. At the other side of the table was the Casterbridge cheeseburger. Bun lightly toasted, burger thick enough to savour. Without having too much cheese, or too many chips and onions rings, you can avoid the post-glutton guilt-trip for having ordered

the nearest thing The Embankment has to an unhealthy dish. But the burger and ketchup just felt right after a large glass of the house Shiraz. The place envelopes the diner with a very British feeling of decadence and it’s hard not to revel, hence the pudding. It was the white chocolate mousse that Lucy couldn’t resist. The idea was to share.... but I guess I was full anyway.

Two course dinner for two with wine: £46

FESTivAlFOOD

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

15Time to chill.

JUNE 2012

To mark the observance of Armed Forces Day (1st July) in Bedford’s Harpur Square, The Clanger’s fave vintage emporium, Rose Tinted Vintage is holding a “make do and mend” 1940’s dress sale. On Saturday the 30th June, RTV will have a rail of beautiful but flawed 1950’s, 1940’s and older dresses for sale, all priced between £5 and £15. “They all are wear-able as they are, but they all need some TLC, whether it’s patching up a hole, fixing a seam or replacing some button,” explains RTV’s owner, Kat Allen. “It’s a great chance to evoke the true spirit of the forties!” During World War II, clothing and fabric was rationed and to “make do and mend” was women’s only option. From turning shirts and dresses into children’s clothes, to transforming bedding and curtains into dresses, it was a great example in thrift, economy and imagination, and a lesson we could all learn from in today’s throw-away society. Get thrifting ladies!

MAKE DO & MEND AT ROSE TINTED vINTagE

(As far as bored-on-a-rainy-day impulse decisions go, it was a bold one, even by my standards....... Creating an ethical childrenswear company on an almost literal shoestring, with no previous business experience nor any fashion, or design qualifications, with someone you met at a playgroup a few months ago sounded like tea-and-biscuit-feulled madness. Which it was, but also it was a dream. And sometimes, when you’re broke and a little bit bored, you need a dream. ) Sarah and I formed our little cloth-ing company, mangoJam, a little over a year ago. It has been quite a year. Eager to learn, we threw ourselves into learning the basics of business, enrolling on the excellent Building a Business course at the University of Bedfordshire, which was free of charge, inspiring, and gave us a basic outline of a business plan: vital, even if we are still prone to sniggering over some of the business-lingo. Any mention of a SWOT analysis still induces mild hysteria. From the start we wanted to create an ethical collection of childrenswear, so we

sourced some fairtrade t-shirts, made from 100%African cotton. We employ a local designer and between her and Sarah’s brother, who lives in Cape Town, they turn our ideas into designs that are printed by a local family-run business. In a random (but very welcome) stroke of luck, we found a lovely retired seamstress, Pat, who lives in Norfolk and who was willing to make some little girls’ dresses for us. We also incorpo-rated our love of second-hand shopping by putting together outfits made up of good quality recycled clothes. And so we were up and running, just in time for the Festival of Fabulousness* that was the Castle Quay Weekender. Well, perhaps up and waddling. Trying to balance setting up and managing a small business whilst also looking after small children has been an interesting experience to say the least (Tell me about it! – Ed). It has been frantic and furious and very last-minute, and the children have eaten a lot of cheese on toast for tea. But we have learnt things. Important things. Like, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the weather forecast before you take a stall to an outdoor event. We learnt this the hard way, with a mangled gazebo upside-down in a tree and a lot of muddy t-shirts. Also, doing some form of accounting is probably a good idea. Oh, and don’t mess with international lawyers over trademarking issues. Mango’s

‘people’ got involved. We swiftly changed our name. But possibly the best advice that we’ve had was from the bespectacled Oracle that is Wayne Hemmingway, who we fell slightly alarmingly in love with during a presentation organized by Creative Bedfordshire. Stay true to your principles, he said. And be nice to your suppliers and the people you work with. With this as the foundation for our business, some basic book-keeping skills and an international lawyer-proof name, Sarah&Alice are very excited about the future!

SARAH & AliCE

Sticky Business at MangoJam

The Art Centre and Gallery on Howard Street is once again showcasing some great art this month with a Mark Spain exhibition.

Having attended Art College Mark initially decided to embark on print-mak-ing and opened his own studio in Kent developing etching and collagraph tech-niques. Although this medium proved to be commercially successful and his commissions included Kew Gardens, Bank of Scotland and the Dorchester Hotel, Mark was constantly experiment-ing with different forms of imagery and techniques. This developed into the use of oil paints and he embraced the chal-lenge of a completely different medium. Since then he has produced a selection of figurative works which are highly sought

after and have been exhibited through-out world including London and New York. The range of work is constantly evolving expanding ideas based on the female form and most recently City Scapes.

Saturday 16th June - Saturday 30th June 2012The Art Centre, Howard Street, Bedford

THE aRT cENTRE & gaLLERyMARK SPAiN EXHiBiTiON

local author Nigel Lesmoir-gordon began writing when he was at school.

He went on to study at film school and moved to a flat on the Cromwell Road in South Kensington where he ran an ‘arty salon’ courting the cream of London’s alternative 60s society. Allan Ginsberg and Mick Jagger vistied and William Burroughs sent postcards. During a weekend spent in Cambridge with old friends as part of his experimental work at film school Nigel shot the now cult-movie classic Syd Barrett’s First Trip.

Following work in the film industry, Nigel moved to the BBC as a drama and docu-mentary editor. He went on to work with Pink Floyd, 10cc, Squeeze, Rainbow, Joe Cocker, Big Country and Wings amongst others in the 70’s producing pop videos and live concert recordings. By the 80s and 90s he was concentrating on commercials and made the award-winning television docu-mentary The Colours of Infinity, presented by Sir Arthur C. Clarke with music by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. The Colours of Infinity has been broadcast in over fifty territories. It brought the Mandelbrot set and the subject of fractals to the attention of the general public for the first time. His documentary Clouds Are Not Spheres explored the life and work of the maverick mathematician, Benoît Mandelbrot.

Nothing and Every-where is Nigel’s first novel and is a comic thriller telling the story of a young novelist searching for a book deal who finds adven-ture when his laptop is stolen. Nigel took part in a book signing at Waterstones in Bedford in March. For more information:www.gordonbooks.co.uk or www.gordon-films.tv

LOcaL aUTHOR pUBLISHES NEW BOOK

cHILL IN THE paRK

ART

liTERATURE

BUSiNESS

There’s a great community event taking place in Addison Park in Kempston on Sunday 17th June.

It does exactly what it says on the tin, so take a picnic, get invovled in loads of family-friendly activities and Chill in the Park. Nice!

Cute Clothing

THE BEDFORD CLANGER

16

JUNE 2012

Celebrating 30 years in Bedford as an independent family owned business.Sewing machines may of changed but our good old-fashioned service values haven’t

We now have a brand new selection of hundreds of fabrics for curtains and blinds from Simpson, Fibre Naturelle, York, Jones Interior and many more with

33% OFF SELECTED LINESWe now offer a NEW curtain and blind making service too so call in for a quote.

BEDFORD in Lurke Street 01234 350186 SingersBedford.com

BEDFORDMORE THAN JUST SEWING!

A BiG BEDFORD THANK YOUThe Bedford Clanger would not have been possible without the excep-tional talents of the following brilliant Bedfordians:

Designer: Marisa StracciaAdvertising Director: Gemma Rogers

Listings Supremo: Beverly-Jo BurridgeCoffee & Cake Correspondent: Alice SmithAdditonal editorial: Alice Smith, Caroline Wise, Sue Gough, Christian Webb & Richard Black, Kristian Purcell, Lydia Saul, Pete Burridge and Vicki MannersGreat Bedfordians: David LitchfieldFront cover: Rachel Lovatt

Photography: Shaun Armstrong, Graham Watson, Scott Brimley & Katie Finn at Bedford College.

Special thanks to Shaun Armstrong and Marisa Straccia, without whom The Clanger would not have been possible (alright, it would have, but it would have looked completely rubbish).

Happy Birthday to me!

Local musician Leah Kardos will undertake the very last performance of her “Feather Hammer” show at Bedford’s Esquires on Saturday 16h June. ‘Feather Hammer’ is an instrumental performance twinned with live video art. The shows so far have only been in London, and many have been sold out or at capacity, so it’s something not to be missed. “The last show we performed was at the National Portrait Gallery in April,” said Leah. “Both the video artist and myself are Bedford based, so we’re both really excited about perform-ing a home-show. This one is extra special as it’s the last one.”

www.leahkardos.com

LEaH KaRDOS FiNAl ‘FEATHER HAMMER’ SHOW AT ESQUiRES

“Walls of guitars and massive choruses, these guys are on their way to being huge.” Not our words, the words of music bible, NME. Here’s Kev Bailey to explain why you cannot miss this gig: “Bit of a coup this one for The Pad Presents team as wethought we’d missed the boat! On the back of huge radio play and major label support, we have managed to book a date in with current indie darlings ALL THE YOUNG as part of their national tour, not only that - we are the last date, so expect some antics! This Stoke four-piece aren’t pretending to rip up the rulebook, the sound and vision of the band is clear and cut-throat, like thes ingle’s that adorn the recently released debut album. They wear sunglasses indoors, they’ve got alot of swagger,they write huge tunes and like all band destined for the top, polarise opinion. Come see what the fuss is about

for yourself. Support on the night comes from the oh so very good EGO TRIP and local favou-rites BRIGANTE, heading back to the main stage after a brief hiatus.”

Friday, June 29, 2012, Esquires, Bromham Road, Bedford

Tickets are £8 Advance on Seetickets.com/wegottickets

Also available from Luscious Juice Bar and Dannys Barhttp://www.facebook.com/alltheyounghttp://www.facebook.com/egotripofficialhttp://www.facebook.com/Briganteband

The Pad Presents...aLL THE yOUNg29TH JUNE AT ESQUiRES

BEDFRINgE THE

COUNTDOWN BEGiNS!!

The sixth annual Bedfringe Festival is

almost upon us, so make sure you grab yourself

some tickets to catch top notch comedy, drama,

cabaret, dance and music.

There’s something for everyone, from The Gruffalo or The Elves & the Shoemaker for children, to the award-winning Idiots of

Ants with their brand new full-length show and plenty of pre-Edfringe shows to have you laughing in the aisles. Running from 13th - 28th July with performances taking place in a variety of venues including The Place Theatre, The Ent Shed, The Corn Exchange, Bedford Theatre, South Bank Arts Centre and The Howard Room, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’ll also be per-formances popping up in unexpected places too, so keep your eyes peeled and immerse yourself in Bedfringe for a fortnight. Tickets are available from www.bedfringe.com and programmes are widely availble from town centre locations as well as being delivered door-to-door in many areas of the town.Want the full lowdown on Bedfringe, then make sure you get your hands on the July issue of The Clanger. We’ll have a Bedfringe pull-out with all the latest on the must-see shows.

MUSiC FESTivAl

Phot

o: Je

z B

row

n

let’s get hammered

“They wear sunglasses indoors”